Theodore "Ted" Carlsen 1927 - 2018

HUMMEL, CARLSEN, YOKUBAITIS

Posted By: Connie Swearingen -Volunteer (email)
Date: 5/21/2018 at 15:23:08

Sioux City Journal
29 April 2018

Sioux City

Theodore "Ted" Carlsen, 91, of Sioux City, passed away Wednesday, April 25, 2018, at Brookdale Senior Living.

Services will be 10:30 a.m. Monday at Morningside Lutheran Church. Burial will be in Memorial Park Cemetery. Visitation will be 2 to 4 p.m. today at Morningside Chapel, Christy-Smith Funeral Homes.

Ted was born on Jan. 13, 1927, in Sioux City, to Theodore and Esther (Hummel) Carlsen. While in high school, he worked as an usher and doorman for these theaters: Orpheum, Capital, Iowa, and Fourth Street. While attending East High School in Sioux City, Ted enlisted into the U.S. Marine Corps. After his 18th birthday, he landed in Iwo Jima to help defend his country during World War II.

On Feb. 14, 1947, Ted married Betty Marie Yokubaitis, a love connection that started while working at the same theater in Sioux City. At the age of 21, Ted developed a passion for firefighting, and he started working for the Sioux City Fire Department, a place he worked for 17 years. Following this, he worked for 20 years for the U.S. Government as a firefighter for a Naval Weapons Station in California. Ted would eventually retire from there in 1987 as fire chief, then later moved back to Sioux City that same year.

Throughout his life, Ted loved to give back to his community and was active in numerous organizations. These organizations include American Legion Post 64, Veteran of Foreign Wars, and 5th Marine Division Association. He was a part of the Downtown Skywalk Board of Trustees for six years, two of those years serving as vice president.

Ted's memory lives on through his children, Lee (Joyce) Carlsen of Arkansas, Carol J. Berryessa of California, and Douglas (Pamela) Carlsen of Wisconsin; brother, Ronald (Bea) Carlsen of Georgia; granddaughter, Candice Carlsen of Arkansas; six great-grandchildren, Jessica, Ashley, Miranda, Jacob, Briannon, and Danielle; and five great-great-grandchildren.

He is preceded in death by his parents; wife, Betty Marie; brother, James Carlsen; sister, Joan Stetson; and grandson, David Carlsen.

In honor of Ted, the family has asked that memorial contributions be made in his name to the Wounded Warrior Project.