Darrell Carlson

On Friday July 22, 2016, Darrell D. Carlson passed away peacefully at the Salem Lutheran Home in Elk Horn, IA, after a courageous battle with esophageal cancer.

Darrell "Bud" Dean Carlson was born March 6, 1946, to Lawrence and Leona (Witt) Carlson of Anita.
Darrell was delivered by his Aunt Irene. Not having a name immediately picked out, his family started calling him Bud. From then on Darrell was known as and called Bud. He grew up in Anita and graduated from Anita High School in 1964.

When he was 14 years old he began delivering milk for Claude Smithers Dairy. Twice a day, before and after school, sometimes uphill both ways, he delivered milk for Claude throughout his high school years. In addition to delivering milk, he worked for Long's Furniture and the Anita Theater. In Bud's spare time he enjoyed fishing with his dad, who had made a special cane pole for him, so he would keep it out of the trees. He learned how to cook and sew, because his mother just knew he would never get married.

January 1965, Darrell entered the United States Army. He completed his basic training at Ft. Leonard Wood, MO. Unknowing that 33 years later his grandson, Nicholas, would be assigned to Ft. Leonard Wood as well. This was a special bond the two shared. After basic training, Darrell was sent to Korea for 6 months, then to Vietnam for a year. April 1967 he was called back to the United States for the death of his mother. Darrell was released from duty in 1969 and honorably discharged January 25, 1971.

Fooling his late mother, on October 1, 1967, Bud married the love of his life, Linda Kay Garside, at the Church of Christ in Anita, IA. David Kris and Kimberly Kay were born to this union. They lived and raised their children in Adair, IA until 1992, when they moved to Atlantic, IA.

After the Army, Darrell worked for Long's Furniture until he started at Cahail Oil Company in Adair. He then worked for Iowa Star Structures and Monto Crete Silo Co. building silos. Darrell also worked for American Builders and Agri-Drain as a welder. He and Linda owned and operated a bar and grill for several years. Bud was a member of the Adair VFW Post 8877 and Anita American Legion Post 210.
Darrell enjoyed hunting and fishing, or at least telling about the one that got away, boating and camping with his friends and family. He was co-founder and President of The Carp Tracker Association for numerous years. When Darrell was at home, and not harassing Linda, you could find him in his shop woodworking, where he made rocking horses, tables and chairs for his grandchildren and great-grandchildren. Often he could be found restoring his 1954 Chevrolet Belair Coupe, that he handed down to his grandson. When he was nowhere to be found, he and Linda would be traveling the United States, without a map. Darrell was proud that he had traveled to all 50 states. They enjoyed spending the winters in Port Bolivar, TX with his niece, Nancy.

Darrell never knew a stranger or a bad piece of fudge; he enjoyed life to its fullest, teaching his shenanigans to his grandchildren. He was well known for his witty sense of humor, because, after all, he was "just trying to get along."

His true passion was his family that he leaves behind to carry on his legacy. His wife, Linda of Atlantic; a son, David (Tracie) Carlson of Walnut; a daughter, Kimberly (Bradley) Beschorner of Atlantic; four grandchildren, Nicholas (Ashley Meeker) Carlson, their children Elijah and Adylin of Marne. Monica (Joe Schmidt) Carlson and their children Brayden and Conner of Atlantic. Kaytie Beschorner of Urbandale and Kourtnie (Jesse Baier) Beschorner their fur baby, Lloyd of Atlantic. Two sisters, Phyllis Aupperle of Atlantic and Donna Schaubrock of Green Castle, PA. Two sisters-in-law, Mary Ellen Carlson of Odgen, IA and Betty Carlson of Eldridge, IA. Along with many nieces and nephews.

Darrell is preceded in death by his parents, Lawrence and Leona. Father and mother-in-law, Merle and Emma Garside. Brothers, Gaile and Marvin Carlson; his sister, Gladys "Tooty" Carslon, a great-grandchild; and his beloved schnauzer, Annie.

A gathering of friends will be held from 10:00 a.m. to 12:00 p.m. Saturday, July 30, 2016, at Hockenberry Family Care in Atlantic, Iowa. A luncheon will be held in in Hockenberry's community room following the gathering.

Hockenberry Family Care in Atlantic, Iowa, is assisting the family with the arrangements.