Carlson, Dennis C. 1920-2008

CARLSON, DANIELSON, KIES

Posted By: Mary Holub, volunteer (email)
Date: 2/27/2008 at 21:49:52

AKRON, Iowa -- Dennis C. Carlson, 87, of Akron passed away Thursday, Jan. 17, 2008, at Akron Care Center.

Services will be 11 a.m. Saturday at Wesley United Methodist Church in Akron, with the Rev. Laurice Streyffeller officiating. Military will be conducted by the American Legion Hoschler Post 186 of Akron. Graveside services will be 2 p.m. Saturday in Hurley Cemetery, Hurley, S.D. Visitation will be after 3 p.m. today, with the family present 6 to 8 p.m., at Carlsen Funeral Home - Schroeder Chapel in Akron. Visitation will resume 10 a.m. until service time Saturday at the church.

Dennis C. Carlson was born in Cambridge, Minn., on Aug. 27, 1920, the son of Carl W. Carlson and Anne (Danielson) Carlson. The family moved to the Vermillion, S.D., area in 1924, where they farmed. He played shortstop on the Hub City men's baseball team while he was in high school. He graduated from Beresford (S.D.) High School in 1939. He attended Southern State Teachers College in Springfield, S.D., for two years, then taught rural school in Jefferson, S.D. for one year. He then attended South Dakota State College in Brookings, where he lettered in baseball. He entered the U.S. Army during World War II and served in the South Pacific. He returned to SDSC in 1946 and graduated with a bachelor of science degree in 1948. He was recalled to active service during the Korean War and was stationed at Fort Lewis, Wash.

He began his teaching career in northwest Iowa in 1948. He taught industrial arts, driver training, math and science and successfully coached baseball, softball and basketball. He finished his teaching career at Riverside Junior High School in Sioux City, where he taught earth science, retiring in 1980.

He met his wife, Jean Kies at SDSC in 1947, and they were married Aug. 14, 1949. The family moved to Akron in 1962. He sold and serviced televisions in his home for many years.

He was a member of Wesley United Methodist Church and served as a trustee and treasurer. He was a member of the American Legion Hoschler Post 186 of Akron and the Veterans of Foreign Wars in Elk Point, S.D. His hobby was woodworking, making furniture, puzzles and toys for family and friends. He could fix almost anything. He enjoyed watching baseball, playing cards with family and friends and growing potatoes and tomatoes in his garden.

In addition to his wife, Jean, survivors include three daughters, Linda (John) Shirk of Bellevue, Neb., Gail (Craig) Eichstadt of Pierre, S.D., and Karen Smith of Akron; seven grandchildren, Paul Shirk and Alan Shirk of Bellevue, Neb., Anne Eichstadt of Omaha, Neil Eichstadt of Rapid City, S.D., Carl Eichstadt of Pierre, S.D. and Wes Bonham and Mikara Bonham of Akron; a brother, Kenneth T. Carlson and his wife, Lorine (Jean's sister) of Hurley, S.D.; a sister-in-law, Gloria Carlson of Conception Junction, Mo.; and cousins, nieces and nephews.

He was preceded in death by his parents; and two brothers, Orlo Carlson of Lead, S.D., and Mayo Carlson of Conception Junction, Mo.

~Source: The Sioux City Journal, Jan. 18, 2008