CARL A. KARLSON, 87, of Cherokee, Iowa passed away Thursday evening, April 5, 2012 at St. Luke's Regional Medical Center in Sioux City, Iowa.

Memorial services will be held on Tuesday, April 10, 2012 at 10:30 a.m. at Bethlehem Lutheran Church in Cherokee. Pastor Jim Steen will officiate. There will be a family prayer service at 10:15 a.m. Tuesday morning at the church. Visitation will be held on Monday, April 9th from 11 a.m. until 8 p.m. with the family present 6:30-8 p.m. at Boothby Funeral Home in Cherokee. Online condolences may be left at www.boothbyfuneral.com

Carl was born on March 20, 1925 to Oscar & Emma (Okerstrum) Karlson at Cherokee, Iowa. He graduated from Washington High School in 1943. He was called to the service in 1943 and was honorably discharged in 1945. He spent two years of college at University of Iowa and two years at Denver University where he graduated with a degree in Business. He was united in marriage to Frances Anderson on March 19, 1950. Carl worked and owned Karlson's Plumbing & Heating, worked for Wilson's Packing Plant for two years and was a salesman for Wigman Company of Sioux City for 35 years until his retirement in 1987. He was a member of Bethlehem Lutheran Church in Cherokee his entire life. He was a fireman for 30 years and was assistant chief for two years. Carl was an avid fisherman, enjoyed golfing, watching sports events and reading the newspapers.

He was preceded in death by his parents, son Bradley Karlson, a daughter-in-law Lynne Karlson, sister-in-law and brother-in-law Jean & Tom Ball and brother-in-law James Anderson.

Carl is survived by his wife Fran of Cherokee, Iowa; 3 children: Karen Scott and her husband Paul of Littleton, Colorado; David Karlson of Denver, Colorado; Michael Karlson of Prescott, Arizona; 9 grandchildren: Christopher & Jill Scott; Scott, Jeffrey, Kristi & Kelli Karlson; Danna & Mollie Karlson; Kramer Karlson; 2 great grandchildren: Leif & Kameron Karlson; daughter in law: Barbara (Darrell) Burns of Sheldon, Iowa; 2 sisters: Marian (Otto) Schneider of Dakota Dunes, South Dakota; Helen (Don) Duven of Waterloo, Iowa; also several nieces and nephews.