Donald Robert Carlson

Donald Robert Carlson, the son of B. Victor and Ellen (Swanson) Carlson, was born April 4, 1926 in Aurelia, IA. His childhood years were spent in Galva, IA, where he received his education, graduating from Galva High School. He continued his schooling at the University of Iowa, where he completed two years of college before being drafted into the U.S. Army/Air Force. He served as a cryptographer in the military during WWII from 1944 until his honorable discharge in 1946. Don returned to the University of Iowa to complete his pharmacy degree and then moved to Spencer, IA, where he worked as a Registered Pharmacist. Don met Lois Peterson while both were working at Bjornstad Drug Store. They were married on June 18, 1950 at the Peterson family farm near Hartley, IA. Following their marriage, they lived in Spencer, IA. Don continued to work at Bjornstad Drug, purchasing the business in 1982. After selling the business and "retiring", he worked at area pharmacies as a relief pharmacist. His career spanned 60 years. He was an active member of Trinity Lutheran Church in Spencer and the Iowa Pharmaceutical Association. Don and Lois have enjoyed many years of attending the sports games here in Spencer and enjoyed attending the community theatre. They took several trips to Europe and Sweden. Donald passed away at the Spencer Hospital on Thursday, March 27, 2014 at the age of 87. He was preceded in death by his parents and a sister, Marilyn Brueggert. Left to cherish his memory are his wife, Lois of Spencer; his children: Jeannine (Jim) Bunge of Hartley, IA, Barbara (Craig) Butler of Sioux City, IA and David (Elizabeth) Carlson of Temple, TX; 9 grandchildren: Lee (Michelle) Bunge, Sally Bunge, Ben(Abbie) Bunge, Adam Bunge and Ashley Miller, Abby (Nate) Bockholt, Paul (Chloe) Butler, Anna (Alex) Lukehart, Thomas Carlson and Maddie Carlson; 6 great grandchildren: Lauren Bunge, Brooke Bunge, Aiden Bunge, Claire Bockholt, Annika Bockholt, Bryce Bockholt; other relatives and many friends.

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