Donald Charles ‘Swede’ Carlson, age 85, of White, peacefully passed away, April 11, 2026, at home. A Mass of Christian Burial will be held at 11:00 am on Wednesday, April 15, 2026, at St. Paul Catholic Church in White, SD. Visitation will be held the night prior from 5:00 pm to 7:00 pm with a Prayer Service at 6:45 pm on Tuesday, April 14, 2026, at St. Paul Catholic Church in White.

Don was born April 2, 1941 to George and Alice (Lindemyer) Carlson in Fergus Falls, Minnesota. He attended school through the 8th grade in Pierre, SD. Early on in Don’s life, he worked on a ranch and rode broncs. On December 29, 1964, Don married Linda Kay Leasure. They later moved to Oklahoma for his construction job and then moved back to Bushnell, SD, where he found truck driving to be his career. Don and Linda bought their home near White where horses roamed the yard and Linda tended to her garden. After Linda’s passing, Don continued to live on the acreage until it was destroyed by fire in February of 2021. He then moved into the town of White.

Don enlisted and proudly served his country in the United States Navy. He was a member of St. Paul Catholic Church and the American Legion Post #88. Don enjoyed playing cards and shaking dice at the Palace Café he and Linda owned and operated for 25 years. He also enjoyed watching westerns, taking drives and riding his motorcycle, and was extremely passionate about his guns, always searching for his next purchase. Above all, he loved spending time with his grandchildren and great-grandchildren and attending their many activities.

Survivors include his children, Shannon (Karen) Carlson, Julie Westberg, Susie (Corey) Rennich, and Jennifer (Cardell) Carlson; grandchildren, Devon (Katelyn) Carlson, Kamelia (Seth) Hemmingson, Kelli Westberg, Michael (Hope) Westberg, Ashley (Styles) Brown, Brittany Rennich, Jayden (Caitlyn) Rennich, Janie Carlson, Jozie Carlson, Jakoby Carlson; great-grandchildren, Adalyn, Easton, Braelyn, Kylie, Allana, Kayden, Kaylee, Brantley, Braxton, Carson, Bentlee, Beckett, Kyron, Jailyn, Ford, Navvy; brothers, Dana Baker, Thomas Lindemyer, sister, Shelley Lindemyer.

He was proceeded in death by his parents, wife, Linda Carlson, daughter, Kimberly Kay Carlson, brother, Shane Lindemyer, sister, Alane Lindemyer.