Verlin Dennis Carlson

Verlin Dennis Carlson, 95, of St. Peter, MN, passed away on July 18, 2026. He was born May 13, 1931, in Renville, Minnesota, the eldest of seven children of Elvin & Elsie (Seehusen) Carlson, and grew up on a farm in Big Stone County. 
He served in the U.S. Army in Korea, earning three bronze service stars. He graduated summa cum laude from Gustavus Adolphus College before earning a Ph.D. in psychology from Vanderbilt University in 1962. He returned to Gustavus in 1963 as a professor of psychology, also working as a clinical and forensic psychologist in southern Minnesota, and retired as a professor emeritus in 1996. He married Marilyn Kay Portz Carlson in 1991. 
He is survived by his wife, Kay; step-daughters Tami (Jeff) Skinner and Gina (David) Phenix; his siblings Rodney, Janice, Gloreen, and Steven; his 4 grandchildren and 4 (plus expecting 2 more) great-grandchildren; and many nieces and nephews. He was preceded in death by his parents and siblings Virgil and Marlys. 
Visitation will be held on August 15, 2026 at 1 PM at the St. Peter Funeral Home. Private family burial to follow.