Retired Covenant pastor Rev. David E. Carlson passed
away on April 14 in Red Oak,
Iowa. He was 96.
David Edgar Carlson was born on January 3, 1928, to parents Axel and Anna Carlson, who were Swedish immigrants living in a farmhouse northwest of Red Oak. Along with his family, David faithfully attended the Mission Covenant Church (now First Covenant Church of Red Oak). He was confirmed in 1942 and graduated from the senior high school in Red Oak in 1945.
Following a time with the World War II occupation force on Okinawa with the Army Air Corps, he attended North Park Junior College. On July 2, 1950, he married Marian Swanson in Red Oak, and their union eventually produced five children. After attending North Park, David went to Drake University, earning a bachelor of arts degree in 1952.
Together the family served in pastoral ministry at a variety of Covenant churches, including in Randolph and Cleburne, Kansas; Northport, Michigan; Marquette, Kansas; Mason City, Iowa; Haxtun, Colorado; Oakland, Nebraska (First and Salem); Edmonton, Alberta; and Siren, Wisconsin.
In 1990, David retired from full-time ministry and returned to Red Oak, where he and Marian renewed their membership at First Covenant. During those years he was active in pulpit supply in various churches in the area and served as a Sunday school teacher, deacon, vice-chair, and associate pastor.
David was preceded in death by his wife, Marian; his son Steve; and his daughter-in-law Marie.
He is survived by his children David of Kailua-Kona, Hawaii; Dan (Linda) of Overland Park, Kansas; Diane Anderson (Kevin) of Arlington, Texas; daughter-in-law Karen Carlson of Spring Hill, Tennessee; and Denise Skramstad (Gary) of Tega Cay, South Carolina; twelve grandchildren, seventeen great-grandchildren, as well as many nieces, nephews, and other relatives and friends.
In lieu of flowers, memorial gifts can be made to First Covenant Church of Red Oak, where David’s funeral service was held on April 23, 2024.
Peace be to his memory.
