Kathleen "Kathy" Carlson

Kathleen “Kathy” Anne Carlson (Cameron), 83 of Fargo, ND passed away suddenly July 9, 2024, at Elim Assisted Living in Fargo, ND. 

Kathy was born June 30, 1941, to Lorene and Wayne Cameron in Detroit, Michigan. As an only child she had many opportunities and developed deep relationships with family and friends.

Kathy graduated from Redford High School, Detroit, in 1959, then attended one year at Houghton University in Buffalo, NY, before obtaining her bachelor’s degree in Elementary Education at Wayne State University in Detroit. In 1988, after incredible determination and hard work, Kathy received, with honors, a Master of Science degree in Education while working full-time.

The dedication and commitment exemplified towards the love of her life, Dale, created a stable and secure home for the Carlson family of six. Andy, Mark and Loree were born in Detroit and while Dale was going to seminary and Kathy working, Peter was the surprise babe. It was never a question that Kathy would find work, typically a teaching job wherever they moved to help support the family. She sacrificed greatly. And, poured out such love to make sure each of her children knew how valued and special they were. Yearly camping trips, adventures and special birthday parties every year never disappointed.

In the 1970’s Kathy taught at Woodland Elementary School in Gurnee, Il. Seven years later the family moved from the big city to rural Iowa (Wayland) where Dale pastored, and Kathy was a secretary at a different church. They moved to Ankeny, IA, where Dale pastored the Ankeny Free Church for over eleven years and Kathy worked at Hewlett Packard in West Des Moines, IA. After all the kids graduated high school and a short stint in Des Moines they moved to Grand Rapids, MN, then to Plainview, MN, where Kathy taught Special Education. The move back to the Des Moines area allowed her to work and retire in the Southeast Polk School District. Kathy’s children, along with many of her students, were profoundly influenced by her commitment to education and training. 

Kathy’s achievements hold little to no value in comparison to her love in knowing Christ Jesus and her passion for making Him known. She always kept up with new ways to share Jesus with others and served in various roles to support Dale and the Body of Christ. She was a piano player, choir director, CEF leader, AWANA Commander, women’s Bible study leader, and always participated in any outreach event. Kathy lived out her faith, and nothing would honor her more than for many to come to know Jesus as their personal Savior today. She is in heaven with Jesus now, free from pain.

Kathy is survived by her husband of 60 years, Dale; 3 children, Andy (Rosie) Carlson, Loree (Andy) Veith, and Mark (Heather) Carlson; 14 grandchildren, Brandyn (Angelynna) Veith, Jacob (Katie) Carlson, Chelsea (Steven) Niewiedzial, Bryanna Veith, Sam Carlson, Morgan Carlson, Mikayla (Jordan) Buchanan, Nate (Amanda) Carlson, Jaryd Veith, Cameron Carlson, Caleb Carlson, Katie Taylor, Corey Eisner, and Chandler Eisner; 5 great-grandchildren, Jaedyn Veith, Myles Veith, Rowan Niewiedzial, Hudson Niewiedzial and Theodore Taylor. Kathy was preceded in death by her granddaughter, Brittany Carlson (1991); mother, Lorene Cameron (1997); son, Pete Carlson (2004); and Father, Wayne Cameron (2006).

Funeral and visitation will be held at the Ankeny Free Church in Ankeny, IA, on Saturday, July 13, 2024 at 10 AM. Burial at Highland Memory Gardens in Des Moines to follow.