David Edgar Carlson was born in a farmhouse northwest of Red Oak, Iowa on January 3, 1928, to Swedish immigrants, Axel and Anna (Anderson) Carlson. He passed away on Sunday, April 14, 2024 at Red Oak Rehab and Care Center in Red Oak, Iowa at the age of 96 years, 3 months and 11 days.

Through most of his childhood years he lived on a farm southeast of Red Oak where he attended Mt Pleasant, Grant #3, country school. He attended Junior High and Senior High School in Red Oak graduating from High School in 1945.

Together with his family he faithfully attended Sunday School and Worship at The Mission Covenant Church (now First Covenant Church) in Red Oak. His parents and his church, where he was confirmed in 1942, were influential in his early spiritual training.

Following a time with the World War II Occupation Force on Okinawa with the Army Air Corp, he attended North Park Junior College and Drake University getting his B.A. degree in 1952. He graduated from North Park Theological Seminary in 1957.

David married Marian Swanson on July 2, 1950, in Red Oak, Iowa. They were blessed with five children.

He served Evangelical Covenant Churches in Randolph and Cleburne, Kansas; Northport, Michigan; Marquette, Kansas; Mason City, Iowa; Haxtun, Colorado; Oakland, Nebraska (First and Salem); Edmonton, Alberta; and Siren, Wisconsin. Since his retirement to Red Oak in 1990 he has served interim pastorates in Stanton, Red Oak, and Essex, Iowa. He was active in pulpit supply in several different churches and denominations in the Red Oak area.

Following retirement, he and Marian renewed their membership at First Covenant Church of Red Oak where he served as Sunday School teacher, Deacon, Vice Chairman, and Associate Pastor.

David was preceded in death by his wife, Marian; his son, Steve; his daughter-in-law, Marie; his parents; and five brothers and sisters and their spouses.

Survivors include children, David Carlson of Kailua-Kona, Hawaii; Dan (Linda) Carlson of Overland Park, Kansas; Diane (Kevin) Anderson of Arlington, Texas; daughter-in-law Karen Carlson of Spring Hill, Tennessee; and Denise (Gary) Skramstad of Tega Cay, South Carolina; grandchildren, Jedidiah Carlson, Isaac Carlson, Laura (Gabe) Seidel, Andrew (Kenzie) Carlson, Ryan (Melanie) Anderson, Michaela (Ryan) Elfstrom, Charis (Keith) Roehrenbeck, Anna Carlson, Josiah (Brittney) Carlson, Kajsa (Thomas) Matheny, Justin Skramstad, and Jacob Skramstad; and seventeen great-grandchildren; nieces, nephews and other relatives and friends.

May God bless his memory and give strength to those who mourn.

Funeral Service will be held Tuesday, April 23, 2024, at 10:30 a.m.

At the First Covenant Church, Red Oak, Iowa

Burial at Evergreen Cemetery, Red Oak, Iowa

Rev. Alan Dean, Officiating

Visitation will be held on Monday, April 22, 2024, at Sellergren Lindell DeMarce Funeral Home from 5:00 p.m. to 7:00 p.m.

Family requests memorials in lieu of  flowers to the First Covenant Church, Red Oak, IA

Sellergren-Lindell-DeMarce Funeral Home is in charge of David's arrangements and serving his family.