Verna Mae (Toews) Carlson

Verna Mae Carlson, 80, of Alden, Iowa passed away peacefully Friday, February 17, 2017 at Hansen Family Hospital in Iowa Falls, Iowa. Funeral services for Verna Carlson will be 10:30 am Wednesday, February 22, 2017 at the Steamboat Rock Baptist Church; 107 2nd St, Steamboat Rock, IA 50672. Visitation will be from 5:00 until 7:00 pm Tuesday, February 21, 2107 at the Linn’s Funeral Home Chapel; 1521 Washington Ave.; Iowa Falls, IA 50126.

Verna Mae Carlson was born May 12, 1936 in Mountain Lake, Minnesota to Peter and Tina Toews. Growing up in the country she learned the value of hard work by doing daily chores. Verna graduated from Mountain Lake High School in 1954. The class motto of “The First Element of Success is the Determination to Succeed” defines her approach to life - a strong spirit and belief in God will allow you to accomplish what you want in life.

While attending Mankato State Teacher’s College, Verna met the love of her life and future husband Dwight. They were married March 25, 1956 and later moved to Plainview, Minnesota where Dwight taught at the high school. In 1961 they moved to Iowa Falls, Iowa when Dwight got a job at Ellsworth College. Their marriage was one replete with love and friendship for over 60 years. Verna loved doing her crafts - decorating Faberge eggs, making wood shelves, collecting Hummel figurines, and Beanie Babies. Her and Dwight were also famous for their 300 hive beekeeping business - Carlson & Son Honey. The two of them spent many hours working side by side to process and sell what many people consider to be the best honey in the state of Iowa. Both Verna and Dwight have enjoyed watching the deer come up and feed on the apples in their backyard.

Verna was a faithful member of the Steamboat Rock Baptist Church attending Sunday church and Wednesday bible study at every opportunity and was a member of the Church’s Dorcas Women’s Society. Verna was also involved with meal-on-wheels in the Iowa Falls area and spent many years typing cookbooks. An avid sports fan Verna spent many hours watching the Minnesota Vikings and Minnesota Twins as well as attending Ellsworth College sporting events where she coordinated Ellsworth’s cheerleading squad for several years. Verna really loved selling her crafts and honey at craft shows in Spirit Lake, Fort Dodge, Nevada and Aitkens because it gave her the opportunity to greet old friends and meet new friends. A very personable individual, Verna could be described as a friend of the community. 

Verna Mae Carlson was preceded in death by her parents: Peter and Tina Toews, her sister Laura Bull, her son David Carlson, and her granddaughter Kaitlyn Dobbs. Verna is survived by her husband: Dwight Carlson of Alden, Iowa; her son: Steven Carlson of Battle Lake, Minnesota; her daughters: Suzanne (Chris) Matula of Kimberly, Wisconsin and Sandra Dobbs of Rapid City, South Dakota; sisters: Mary (Daniel) Engler of Buena Vista, Arkansas and Evelyn (Eugene) Ray of Windom, Minnesota; brother: Peter (Maureen) Toews of Boynton Beach, Florida; her sister-in-law: June Gustafson of Lincoln, Nebraska; brother-in-law: LaRue  (ET) Carlson of Tulsa, Oklahoma; her daughter-in-law: Marcia (Carlson) Reindeau and her wonderful grandchildren: Bethany Matula, Adam Matula, Nicholas Matula, Nathanael Dobbs, Annamarie Dobbs, Jonathan Dobbs, Andrew Dobbs, Daniel Carlson, and Erica Carlson, and many nephews and nieces.