Donald "Donzo" Carlson

Donald James Carlson, better known as Donzo, lived by the motto “Get busy living, or get busy dying”. He loved him some Shawshank Redemption. Donzo was born May 2nd, 1962, in Vermillion, SD as the fourth child of Roscoe Conway Carlson and Lois Ione (Ellefson) Carlson. He died peacefully on January 14th, 2025, at The Dougherty Hospice House in Sioux Falls, SD surrounded by his loving wife Elma and his children. Official cause of death is brain cancer after a courageous13 year battle, unofficial cause of death was watching his final game of his beloved Minnesota Vikings.

Donzo had a love for many things, including pretty much any food you put on his plate (not brussel sprouts or grandma Joanne’s gravy), Swan Lake, Thirsty Thursdays at the Shore Store, those damned Minnesota Vikings, Twins, riding his Harley, playing softball, and attending all sporting events involving his kids or grandkids. He always had a smile, a hug, and the right thing to say, even if it was wildly inappropriate. Just when he thought he was too old to fall in love again, he became a “Poppy”. His grandkids stole his heart and most of his money, much like his only daughter Sara. Seeing his children grow into exactly who they were supposed to be brought meaning and pride to his life. Donzo loved working; he missed it greatly. He always said “Working is a privilege. I didn’t have to go to work every day, I got to go to work every day.”. He ended his career as the head of maintenance for Lutheran Social Services, which gave him great pride in helping others through his work.

His regrets were few, but some include not making Jennifer Aniston his first wife (“Love you Jen”), not opening a sports bar at a young age instead of a dairy farm, watching any re-run on TV (like ever, he hated re-runs except for Gunsmoke), and this new dynamic kickoff in the NFL (he REALLY hated that).

The man with many names: Donnie, Donzo, Poppy, and Dumbass #1, is survived by his wife Elma (Ymker) Carlson, his favorite and most expensive child Sara (Jason) Miller, sons Jason (Anita) Carlson & Kevin (Stacie) Carlson. Grandchildren Destiny Durham, Kane Niehoff, Vanorah & Kinsley Carlson, Jack Bickett, Taye Carlson, Roscoe, Myla, and Griffin Miller. He is also survived by his Swan Lake family (you know who you are) and many other family and friends. 

He is preceded in death by his Grand Angel baby Miller, parents Roscoe and Lois, his in-laws Elmer and Joanne Ymker, his brother Gary Carlson, nephew John Carlson, brother-in-law (and one of Donzo’s favorite people in the world) David “Buck” Buechler , and sister-in-law Joyce (Ymker)DeKock.

A celebration of life will be 2:00 PM Saturday, January 25th at the Peace Lutheran Church in Sioux Falls, SD.  At Donzo’s request, casual attire is expected.