Dale Edgar Carlson

Dale Edgar Carlson: A Life of Joy, Grace, and Integrity On May 23, 2017, Dale Edgar Carlson of Yreka, CA, went home to be with the Lord. He was 91 years old, and has been reunited with his wife of almost 59 years, Iva Carlson. He is survived by his two daughters, Elin Carlson of Northridge, CA and Lisa Clay of Madera, CA. He is also survived by two grandchildren, Ashley Clay of Hollywood, CA and Jaime Clay of Fresno, CA. He was preceded in death by his parents, Edgar and Frances Carlson. A memorial service will be held at Yreka United Methodist Church on Sunday, June 11 at 2pm. This will be followed by a graveside service in Etna Cemetery at 5:00pm. Dale was born in Geneva, IL, on March 24, 1926. He grew up as an only child in a small home with his parents, a cousin, and maternal grandmother in Wheaton, IL. His heritage was Swedish, German, and Pennsylvania Dutch. He graduated from Wheaton Community High School in 1944, then attended the Naval Academy in Annapolis, MD. He graduated in 1947 with a commission and a Bachelor of Science in engineering, and served on various ships and submarines in the Navy until 1950. After being back in Wheaton for a short time, he went to Palo Alto to attend Stanford University, where he got his MBA in 1952. He got called back in to the Navy to serve in the Korean War for two more years. It took 7 ships and 2 planes to get him to his assignment! He retired as a Lieutenant, Jr. Grade, then settled back in Palo Alto to work as an engineer for Motorola’s two-way radio division and for Hewlitt-Packard. The latter was a little company of 800 employees at the time. He met Iva Smith of Etna, CA, at the Methodist Church in Palo Alto, where he courted her over cups of coffee. They were married on April 5, 1958. In 1965, he moved his family to Yreka, CA, and joined a Certified Public Accounting practice with Bill Harris, who passed away only a year later, leaving the business to Dale. Dale’s career as a CPA flourished for over 40 years, helping individuals and farmers. He also served three terms as Yreka City Treasurer. In 1977, he and Iva designed and built their dream home on Meadowlark Lane. They also travelled together for vacations across the United States and to Europe. His involvement in community affairs included memberships in Yreka Chamber of Commerce (past president), the Kiwanis Club of Yreka (treasurer and past president), Madrone Hospice, the Benevolent and Protective Order of Elks, and Friends of the Yreka Library. Traveling, hiking, backpacking, flying as a licensed private pilot, golfing, and fishing were his outside activities. Indoors he enjoyed cards, philately, model railroading, and books. His personal interests resulted in long term memberships in the America Philatelic Society, the Siskiyou Model Rail Road Club and Fortune Cookies, an investment club. In a recent email to his children, he reflected with gratitude on his life: “Golly: I have put my feet down in North America, South America, Asia, Africa, and Europe. I have walked the capitol streets of Washington, Tokyo, Panama City, Quito, London, Madrid, Rome, and Vienna. I have been across the Arctic Circle, the International Date Line, and the Equator. I have been blessed with loving parents, exceptional children, and welcoming in-laws. Yes, I have and have had a good life. My thanks to God.” Dale had a life-long deep faith in God, a profound love of his wife, Iva, and a powerful gift of encouragement. He asks you to wave, smile, and say “Hi” to everyone when you are out and about.

Dale Edgar Carlson

March 24, 1926 - May 23, 2017