Rev. Delmar Duane Carlson

July 27, 1930 — January 18, 2020

Delmar Duane Carlson was born July 27, 1930, in Stromsburg, Nebraska, to Ernest and Edna (Carlson) Carlson. Hi died January 20, 2020. Delmar grew up speaking both Swedish and English and enjoyed all things Swedish—even Lutefisk. He graduated from Stromsburg High School where he was a member of National Honor Society, music, band and basketball. He received BA from Bethany College in Lindsburg, Kansas, and M.Div from Augustana Seminary in Rock Island, Illinois and his D.Min from the Lutheran School of Theology in Chicago, Illinois. His doctoral thesis was on Pastoral Care of the Elderly. While in seminary there was an epidemic of chicken pox and mumps. Seminarians who became ill were taken to Lutheran Hospital in Moline, Illinois. There he was cared for by a student nurse and August 5, 1956, he married that nurse, Zona Goodrich in Keokuk, Iowa.

Delmar was ordained into the Augustana Lutheran Church at Fargo, North Dakota on June 15, 1956. His entire ministry was served in Iowa at St. Paul Lutheran Church in Albia, Iowa, St. John Lutheran Church in Madrid, Iowa, and Bethlehem Lutheran Church in Cherokee, Iowa. He retired in 1996 but continued to serve part time as visitation pastor , equipper for Christ Care Groups, and to sing “Children of the Heavenly Father” in Swedish at funerals. He and Zona were parents of three children, Lynette (Greg Sievert), Brian (D’Lisa McKinzie, and Lynnea (Matt Peterson); grandparents to Ian (Alexis) Carlson and Katelyn Peterson and Gherrit Peterson.

Delmar enjoyed bird watching, gardening, sports, traveling, going for walks, and any activity with his children and grandchildren. A very special trip involved studying in Israel for his doctorate and after retirement touring Scandinavia and going to the area where his father grew up.

He was preceded in death by his parents; son, Brian; brothers, Milford, Edsel and wife Delores; sisters, Phyllis (Don Scamehorn) and Harriet.

He is survived by his wife, Zona; daughters and sons-in law, Lynnette and Greg Sievert, Lynnea and Matt Peterson; three grandchildren, Ian (Alexis) Carlson, Katelyn Peterson, and Gherrit Peterson; and many nieces, nephews, and friends.

SERVICE VIDEO

SERVICES

Memorial services will be held at 11:00 a.m. Friday, June 4, 2021, at Bethlehem Lutheran Church in Cherokee, Iowa.

OFFICIATING

Pastor Jean Morse

CASKET BEARERS

Honorary Bearers

Greg Sievert
Matt Peterson
Gherrit Peterson
Ian Carlson
Katelyn Peterson

VISITATION

Visitation will begin at 2:00 p.m. Thursday, with family present from 5:00-7:00 p.m. Thursday night at the Greenwood-Schubert Funeral Home in Cherokee.

INTERMENT

Oak Hill Cemetery
Cherokee, Iowa

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