John Carlson Obituary

The Reverend John N. Carlson, 72, died Thursday, January 18, 2007 at Hospice Kavanagh House from complications of cancer and a form of Parkinson’s Disease. Pastor Carlson was born March 5, 1934, and raised in Dunnell, MN, the son of Albin and Hilda Carlson. He graduated from Sherburn High School, received his BS from Augustana College in Sioux Falls, SD and a Master of Divinity from Augustana Seminary in Rock Island, IL. He married Dorothy Jane Nasby of Jackson, MN on August 25, 1957, and raised three children.

Pastor Carlson served the following parishes: Bethlehem Lutheran in Hallandale, FL, First Lutheran in Ottumwa, IA, Augustana Lutheran in Sioux City, IA, and First Lutheran in Algona, IA. He was called to serve as Assistant to the Bishop of the Lutheran Church in America in 1979, and served in that position through the merger of the Evangelical Lutheran Church in America until his retirement in 1996. They resided in Ankeny during those years. He and Dorothy retired to Stoughton, WI in 2000 until her death in 2004. He relocated to Des Moines and was a resident at The Reserve on Walnut Creek and The Gardens at Luther Park. He was a member of Windsor Heights Lutheran Church and an associate member of Victory Lutheran Church in Mesa, AZ where he and Dorothy spent many winters. He also was a member of the Golden K Kiwanis Club of Des Moines, a board member of Luther Park Care Services, and enjoyed golfing and volunteer work.

He is survived by his three sons, Mark (Jeanette) Carlson of Stanley, WI, Dale (Sharon) Carlson of Janesville, WI, and Eric (Beth) Carlson of Des Moines, IA; six grandchildren, Andrew, Asher, Thomas, Aunna, Greta and Benjamin; and a sister, Dorothy (William) Bevis of Minneapolis, MN.

He is preceded in death by his parents; a sister, Rosalie (Carlson) Bessler; and his wife, Dorothy.

Visitation is from 2 to 5 pm on Sunday, January 21, 2007 at Westover Funeral Home in Des Moines, IA. Memorial Services will be held at Windsor Heights Lutheran Church in Des Moines, IA at 1:00 pm on Monday, January 22, 2007. Interment will be held at Riverside Cemetery in Jackson, MN for the family. In lieu of flowers, memorials may be made to Windsor Heights Lutheran Church and Luther Park Care Services in Des Moines.

ARRANGEMENTS BY ILES FUNERAL HOMES ~ WESTOVER CHAPEL.

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