John Henry Carlson

John Henry Carlson, 83, of Lake Preston, South Dakota, passed away peacefully on Friday, July 3, 2026, after a courageous battle with leukemia.

Funeral services will be at 10:30 AM, Thursday, July 9, 2026, at the Lake Preston Lutheran Church. Pastor Brian Ricke will officiate. Burial will be in the Lake Preston Cemetery with Military Graveside Honors. Visitation will be from 5:00–7:00 PM Wednesday, July 8, 2026 at the Lake Preston Lutheran Church, and one hour prior to the funeral.  The funeral service will be live-streamed and recorded on our webiste.

In lieu of flowers, memorials can be sent to the Lake Preston Cemetery Association or Blood Cancer United.

John was born on December 25, 1942, at the family farm in Erwin, South Dakota, to Oscar and Ida (Anderson) Carlson. His mother referred to him as the best Christmas present.

John grew up on the family farm near Erwin and graduated from Erwin High School in 1960. Following high school, he enlisted in the Army and served his country from 1960–1963.

Shortly after his discharge from the Army, he began his career at the co-op in Lake Preston, where he worked for 60 years. This is where he learned the HVAC business, and he took great pride in serving the people in his community and surrounding areas until his health forced him to stop at the end of 2025. He thoroughly enjoyed the time spent with his customers and rarely turned down the chance to have a conversation, coffee, or lunch.

John’s service to his community included over 40 years as a volunteer on the Lake Preston Fire Department, where he achieved the rank of assistant chief during his tenure. He also served several years on the Lake Preston Lutheran Church council.

His family life started in the late 1960’s when he was introduced to a nice young woman who worked at the bank in Lake Preston. That introduction led to him marrying Mary Brookshire on November 28, 1970, in Lake Preston. Their marriage was blessed with two children, Kevin and Krislyn. Following Mary’s passing in 1995, he met Carolyn Bonine Verly at a support group dance for divorced and widowed individuals. They married on August 30, 2003, at Joy Ranch in the former Clara Lutheran Church where John was baptized and confirmed. They enjoyed 18 years together until Carolyn’s passing in 2021.

Outside of work, John enjoyed attending the Custer State Park Buffalo Roundup, attending his grandchildren’s sporting events and concerts, and visiting antique stores.

Survivors include his loving children Kevin (Sheila) Carlson of North Sioux City, SD; Krislyn Carlson of Beresford, SD; Greg (Marla) Verly of Ruthton, MN; David (Zhenya) Verly of Redding, CA; grandchildren Preston Carlson and Stella Carlson both of North Sioux City, SD; Ashley Verly of Ruthton, MN and Brandon Verly of Dell Rapids, SD; sister Ruth Camp of Plymouth, MN; brothers David (Joyce) Carlson of Erwin, SD; Jim (Lona) Carlson of Winfred, SD; sisters-in-law Shirley Gilmore of Golden, CO; and Linda Nicholas, of West Bloomfield, MI; and numerous nieces, nephews, cousins, and his “adopted” extended Verly family.

John was preceded in death by his parents; wife Mary Carlson; wife Carolyn Carlson; mother-in-law Theresa Brookshire; brothers-in-law Richard Camp, James Brookshire, Robert Brookshire, and John Gilmore; and sister-in-law Betty Brookshire.

Arrangements have been entrusted to Crawford-Osthus Funeral Chapel of Lake Preston, Arlington.

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