Jerome Carlson

WEBSTER- Jerome Carlson, 79 of Webster died on Sunday, October 19, 2008 at his home in Webster. His funeral will be at 10:30 A.M. Thursday, October 23, 2008 at Bethesda Lutheran Church in Bristol, Rev. Janet Miller officiating. Burial will be in the New Sweden Cemetery near Holmquist. Visitation will be at Fiksdal Funeral Service (fiksdalfuneral.com) in Webster on Wednesday 5-7 P.M. and prior to services on Thursday at the church. Jerome Ellsworth Carlson was born on Friday, November 30, 1928 in Sioux Falls, South Dakota and given the name, Max Raymond Boals. At the age of two weeks he was adopted by Herman and Anna (Olson) Carlson of Holmquist. He was baptized at Tabor Lutheran Church near Webster and confirmed at Holmquist Emmanuel Church. He attended country school and graduated from Webster High School in 1946. At the age of 15 he contracted polio, but suffered few long term effects. He attended a year of college at Brookings. On February 12, 1950 he was united in marriage to Lois Morehouse at Bethesda Lutheran Church in Bristol, South Dakota. To this union, a daughter, Lola was born. The couple made their home in Holmquist where Jerry worked for his father at Farmer’s Elevator and Lumber Company. In 1956 Jerry became manager and continued to work as manager until his retirement in 1993. The couple also farmed and raised cattle. A highlight of his life was finding his birth mother, Reita Bechard in Presho, South Dakota. He met a whole new family who welcomed him as one of their own. Many wonderful times were spent with them. He was a member of Bethesda Lutheran Church in Bristol where he joined after his marriage. He held many offices in the South Dakota Retail Lumbermen where he was honored as Lumberman of the Year. He also held many offices at church, school and in the community. He was a member of the Masonic Lodge in Webster and the Elks Club in Watertown. He was also chairman of New Sweden Cemetery Association for thirty five years. Jerry loved hunting, fishing, the change of seasons and the beautiful sunrises and sunsets. The couple also enjoyed their cabin at Pickeral Lake, a lake he had known since he was eight years old. Jerry was a loving husband and father. He saw the best in everyone and was known for his sense of humor. Jerry passed away on Sunday, October 19, 2008 at his home in Webster, South Dakota at the age of 79 years, 10 months and 19 days. He is survived by his wife, Lois of Webster; a daughter, Lola (Tom) Counts of Gainesville, VA; a half brother, Karl Bechard of Kansas; three half sisters, Karen (Jim) Gilman of Kennebec, SD, Beth (Charles) Oller of Vivian, SD and Lyn Emmons of Colorado; and many nieces, nephews and cousins. He was preceded in death by his adoptive parents, a sister, Maxine Carnahan, his birth mother and one half sister.