Donald Herman Carlson

Donald Herman Carlson, 75, passed on from this life due to pancreatic cancer, on July 5, 2026. He spent the last few weeks of his life at home, surrounded by the ones he loved most, his “bride”, his children, and his grandchildren.

Don was born on May 14, 1951 in Stillwater, MN to Donald and Myrtle (Johnson) Carlson. He was one of seven children, and the only boy. His sisters have countless stories of him protecting them at school but tormenting them with his shenanigans at home.

On November 25, 1972, Don married the love of his life, Joyce Stecher. He was a race car driving, foul mouthed, auto mechanic, and she was the sheltered banker’s daughter. He moved into their first apartment in Mahtomedi, MN with a brown paper bag, and she moved in with boxes and boxes of just shoes. They were as opposite as you can get, but they had the exact same vision of building a life and making family the most important priority.

Don gave up racing when he knew he was going to be a father. He was a legend at the Cedar Lake Speedway dirt track in Somerset, WI in the early 70s. He won every race he finished. Then in 1977, he moved the family to Keokuk, IA. Don started a logging business from scratch and eventually created Midwest Chipping. In 1984, he was seriously injured in a logging accident that left him partially paralyzed. Although that was devastating, that event impacted Don and his family in a remarkable way. Don was told he would never walk again, but walked out of the hospital after three months, on only two canes. That time, and the determination and positive attitude he showed, made a lasting impact on his kids, and anyone who knew him. From then on, because of his injuries, Don was more present on a daily basis, and his focus was on building lasting memories with his family. They took a month-long trip for three summers in their beloved Winnebago motor home visiting Yellowstone, Glacier, Custer, and the Tetons.

Don’s greatest joy was his four grandchildren, Connor, Carlee, Cassidy and Gage. They were the light of his life. They all grew up with his huge laugh and big jolly smile, as well as the naughty words that their grandpa would let slip. He was at all their births, and all their graduations, as well as countless holidays and events in between, even with two of them living in Florida. Don also walked Carlee down the aisle on her wedding day in 2024, which he says was the greatest honor of his life.

Don has friends all over the country, from grade school through high school, and racing in Minnesota, to logging for 49 years in the Tri-State area. From local farmers, business owners, Amish logging crews, timber buyers, he counted so many of them as lifelong friends. He also swam at the Keokuk YMCA for years and developed deep friendships with so many through countless hours talking about politics and life.

Don lived life in excess. If he had one tool, his philosophy was ten were better. That extended to anything food related, and even to emojis in his texts. He lived big, and he loved even bigger.

Don is survived by his wife, Joyce, who he called “his bride”, his daughter Kris (Ian) Johnson, his son Lee (Cinnamon) Carlson, four grandchildren Connor Heinz, Carlee (Logan) Fields, Cassidy Carlson, and Gage Carlson. His sisters Signe (Frank) Koukul, Amy (Bud) Baumann, Pam Walstad, and Lori (Frank) Lesperance, as well as many nieces and nephews. He is also survived by his brothers-in-law, Jim (Irene) Stecher, and Glenn Stecher.

He was preceded in death by his parents, his in-laws, Don and Mary Stecher, two sisters, Josie (David) Englund, and Sonja (James) Anthony, and a grandson, Carter.

In place of a memorial, go live your life like Don did. He always had a smile for a stranger, and a quarter for a kid. His laugh was infectious. He was the person who was never too busy to stop and chat in a grocery aisle, give encouragement, be the listening ear, or give advice. He made people feel seen, heard, and that they mattered, no matter what Don was facing himself. If he called you “kiddo” he loved you. Anything that came his way, he faced with determination and hope. You can honor him by living like him. He lived big, but he loved bigger.

The Vigen Memorial Home in Keokuk is assisting the family with arrangements.