Nola Claire Carlson

Nola Carlson, age 89, of Storm Lake, Iowa died Tuesday, October 3, 2023 at Methodist Manor in Storm Lake. Funeral services will take place Saturday, October 7, 2023 at 11:00 a.m. at the Fratzke & Jensen Funeral Home in Storm Lake. Burial will be in the Storm Lake Cemetery. Visitation will be held one hour prior to the service at the funeral home in STORM LAKE. The Fratzke & Jensen Funeral Home in Storm Lake is in charge of the arrangements. Nola Claire (Meyer) Carlson was born in Sioux Rapids, Iowa May 25, 1934. Nola is the daughter of Albert “Bud” and Della (Berg) Meyer. Nola was baptized and confirmed In the Marathon United Methodist Church. She graduated from Marathon High School in 1952. On July 26, 1953 she was united in marriage to Glen DeWayne Carlson in Marathon, Iowa. Nola and Glen made their home in Storm Lake, Iowa for several years, moved to Alta Iowa in 1969, before returning to Storm Lake in 1994. They had three children: Jocelyn, Scott, and Gregory. Nola was an avid seamstress and enjoyed sewing for her family when they were young. She loved reading and always had a book by her chair or bedside. In her later years, she was interested in writing her family history and writing about Glen and other family members’ service to their country. She enjoyed many hours of watching sporting events on TV. If a high school game wasn’t on television, she made sure to listen to it on the radio. Attending her children and grandchildren’s sporting events or concerts was always a highlight. Family was very important to Nola. Nola loved taking pictures. It was evident when she moved into Otsego Place. Sorting through her home, her family found many boxes of pictures and photo albums. She really loved to tell a story by her pictures and her writings. Nola was employed at the Alta Advertiser and Storm Lake Advertiser for several years writing articles, helping with layout, and anything else that was needed. Nola was a member of the Alta United Methodist Church, UMW, and Circle. She was a lifetime member of the Alta VFW Auxiliary 6172 and the Disabled American Veterans Auxiliary Chapter 33 where she served as commander to several offices. Seeing the need for girls’ activities in the summers, Nola and her friend Marvel Rosdail pioneered and started girls softball in Storm Lake in 1968. Together they set to work finding coaches, knocking on business doors to find sponsors. Some people were reluctant, but eventually sold on the idea. They formed teams, scheduling fields, made schedules and rules, and made uniforms for the athletes. Nola is survived by her daughter, Jocelyn (Leland) Bedell Maple Valley WA, sons, Scott (Colleen) Carlson Sergeant Bluff IA, Gregory (Doreen) Carlson, Ida Grove IA. Grandchildren, Benjamin Bedell, Rebecca (Ocean Costello), and Elizabeth Bedell, Jeffrey (Rachel) Carlson, and Jason (Kat) Carlson, Trevor Carlson, Brittany (Jay) Liechti, Jordan Carlson, and 10 great grandchildren. One sister, Laura (Marlin) Weier, and many nieces, nephews and great nieces and nephews; and a special friend: Gaylon Anderson. Nola is preceded in death by her husband, Glen; parents: Albert and Della Meyer, brother Billie, (Charlotte) sisters Marlyss (Bill) Bryant and Nila (Rodney) Miller, parent in-laws Oscar and Blanche Carlson in addition to many nephews.

Nola Claire Carlson

May 25, 1934 - October 3, 2023