Bruce Lawrence Carlson

Bruce Lawrence Carlson, 80, of West Des Moines, Iowa, passed away on December 3, 2022. Services will be held on Saturday, December 10, 2022 at 11:00 a.m. at St. Mark Lutheran Church, 1105 Grand Ave in West Des Moines, IA. Visitation will be held one hour prior to the service with burial at Iowa Veterans Cemetery on Monday.

Bruce was born on June 14, 1942, in Fort Dodge, Iowa to Gladyce (Nordstrom) and Ward Carlson. He graduated from Webster City High School and Webster City Junior College, before going on to study Accounting at the American Institute of Business (AIB) in Des Moines. At 24, he was drafted into the U.S. Army and served in Vietnam. After returning home, he worked as a Provider Relations Representative for Blue Cross and Blue Shield for nearly 30 years. Early retirement from Blue Cross gave Bruce the opportunity to explore a variety of “fun jobs”. From grain dispatcher to shoe salesman, he enjoyed the new experiences and the people that he met every day.

Bruce had a great sense of humor, loved meeting people, and was known for his ability to make everyone around him laugh. He enjoyed puzzles, reading mystery and crime novels, grilling, NASCAR, listening to live music, and cheering on the Hawkeyes. He was a former volunteer for Valley High School, West Des Moines Baseball and Softball, and a former member of West Des Moines Kiwanis.

He is survived by his wife of 58 years, Patty Peters Carlson; sister Kasey Cruze (Steve) of Peachtree City, GA; daughter, Dana Carlson (Matt Simons) of Forest Hills, NY; son, Blake Carlson (Mari Long) of Northborough, MA; as well as three grandchildren, Faye, Miles, and Clio. He will be deeply missed by all who knew and loved him.

Memorials may be directed to the University of Iowa Stead Family Children's hospital or St. Mark Lutheran Care Ministry

Condolences may be expressed to the family at www.HamiltonsFuneralHome.com.

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