Susan Gayle Carlson, the daughter of Irl and Edna (Bylund) Bell was born October 25, 1945, in Fort Dodge, Iowa. She passed away on Wednesday, November 3, 2021, at Accura Healthcare of Stanton, Stanton, Iowa, at the age of 76 years and 8 days.

Susan was raised in Pierson, Iowa, until moving to Red Oak with her parents and siblings when she was in eighth grade. She graduated from Red Oak High School in 1963 and attended Commercial Extension School in Omaha, Nebraska. Susan then worked for Mutual of Omaha. On February 28, 1965, Susan was united in marriage to Dennis Carlson in Red Oak, Iowa. Susan and Dennis lived in Ames, Iowa while he attended Iowa State University. She earned her PHT degree "Put Hubby Through" while working for the Dairy Herd Improvement Division. From those day forward Susan has been a devoted Iowa State Fan. In 1967, after Dennis graduated from ISU, they moved back to the Red Oak area and began farming. Susan enjoyed staying busy, being around people and working. Over the years, Susan worked for Bradley Sale Barn, AT&T in Coburg, ACT Investment, UPS, and Internal Medicine from which she retired. She was very active in the community volunteering with the Montgomery County Extension Council, Montgomery County Farm Bureau serving as President two terms, Montgomery County Pork Producers, Beta Sigma Phi, The Grand Theatre and the Montgomery County Memorial Hospital Auxiliary working in the Lemon Tree. Susan was also involved with the Iowa Pork Producers Board having traveled to Japan in 2000 and Mexico in 2001 with them. In 2016, Susan was selected to be on the Rachel Ray Show for a guest appearance for a makeover. She enjoyed the trip to New York and the makeover but liked her natural look more. Susan was an avid reader, she loved playing bridge, gardening and quilting having finished hundreds of quilts. She was a member of the First Covenant Church where she taught Sunday school many years. Susan loved her family dearly and enjoyed farming and raising hogs with Dennis and family and cheering on her grandchildren at sporting events.

Susan was preceded in death by her parents; sister, Phyllis Poe; brothers-in-law: Steven Simpson and Larry Franzen.

Susan is survived by her husband, Dennis Carlson of Red Oak, IA; two children: Michael (Molly) Carlson of Red Oak, IA and Marcia (Kent) Shannon of Centralia, MO; five grandchildren: Colden Carlson, Jordan Carlson, Jesse Shannon, Waite Shannon and Irl Shannon; sisters: Lois (Allen) Watnem of Humboldt, IA, Shirley Simpson of Wilmington, DE and Sheryl Franzen of Red Oak, IA; brothers: Rick (Bev) Bell of Phoenix, AZ and Jack (Kathie) Bell of Red Oak, IA; brother-in-law, Douglas (Paulette) Carlson of Spring, TX; and sister-in-law, Janet (Charles) King of Berkeley, CA; other relatives and many friends.

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

Funeral Service will be held
Tuesday, November 9, 2021, at 10:30 a.m.
At the First Covenant Church, Red Oak, IA
Burial in Evergreen Cemetery, Red Oak, IA
Rev. Alan Dean, Officiating
Live streaming of the funeral service may be viewed on Sellergren-Lindell-DeMarce Funeral Home's Facebook page.

Visitation on Monday, November 8, 2021, from 5:00 – 7:00 p.m. at Sellergren-Lindell-DeMarce Funeral Home.

Memorials may be directed to the First Covenant Church or Red Oak Public Library.

Sellergren-Lindell-DeMarce Funeral Home is in charge of Susan's arrangements.