James Carlson

James Carlson died Sunday, March 29, 2020 at the home of his daughter in Dawson at the age of 89. 

Visitation will be held on Friday, July 24th from 5:00PM -7:00 at Hanson & Dahl Funeral Home in Dawson following social distancing practices.  A memorial service will be held on Saturday, July25TH, 2020 AT 10:30 AM, First Presbyterian Church in Dawson. Visitation from 10-10:30 at the church prior to the service.  Rev. Herb Rotunda will officiate and interment will be in the Dawson Cemetery. Fellowship to follow at Riverside Town Hall.

James Helmer Carlson, born January 4, 1931 to Helmer Dawson “Daws” Carlson and Helma Tomina (Hanson) Thompson Carlson at the Dawson hospital.  Jim grew up and attended school in Dawson, leaving classes in his senior year to drive truck, farm and work for a rancher in South Dakota.  Jim enlisted in the Air Force in 1951 serving overseas during the Korean War until he was honorably discharged in 1954. 

Jim returned home from his time in the air force and it was during these next years that he met and married, Dorothy on June 15th, 1961 until her death in 2016.  Jim continued to live his quiet and simplistic life of doing little things that helped many every day, mowing lawn because he loved it, taking care of his cat Lucky, and he enjoyed country drives listening to his “old time music” which meant polka music in general.  Each week he looked forward to watching PBS “Old Time Polka”, and it was a special bonus if Danny O’Donnell might have had a special. 

James established his family in Dawson with Dorothy his wife, as a truck driver for Dawson Mills and over the years Jim worked in truck maintenance, as maintenance supervisor at the soy isolate plant.  Jim loved farming and field work and looked forward each year to spring and fall farm field work for his local farmer friends.  Jim was very entrepreneurial in spirit he turned that love for “farming” into a successful lawn mowing and snow removal. Jim also owned and operated a tree moving service, enjoying outside work and fresh air.

If Jim thought of something that needed doing he was up and at it.  He didn’t wait until next time, he did it in his time, in that moment, now without fanfare. He never boasted and often downplayed his presence and doings as anything of worthiness.  Little did he know what a huge presence he was quietly coming and going in and about our lives as he lived his. 

Jim is survived by his children: Robert Carlson, Brookings, SD, Glenn Carlson (Kimberly) Dawson, Marilyn Hannasch, Dawson, Keith Hannasch (Nancy), Becker, MN and Connie Hoffman (James) of Canby, MN. 8 grandchildren and 9 great grandchildren.  Many cousins, nieces and nephews.

James is preceded in death by his wife Dorothy, his parents; Daws and Helma, half-brother Roger Thompson and half-sister Doris (Thompson) Laughlin.