David Carlson

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Obituary

David “Dave” Carlson, 76, of Mitchell, SD, passed away Tuesday, July 1, 2025, at the VA Hospice Cottage in Sioux Falls, SD, after a short battle with cancer. Funeral services will be at 10:30 AM on Wednesday, July 9, at Zion Lutheran Church in Mitchell. Burial will be at American Legion Cemetery in Mitchell. Visitation will be on Tuesday from 5-7:00 PM at Bittner Funeral Chapel with a 6:30 PM prayer service. Arrangements by Bittner Funeral Chapel.

David Leonard Carlson was born December 28, 1948, to Vernon and Katherine (Young) Carlson of Sioux Falls, SD. He attended school in Sioux Falls, where he was on the track and field and wrestling teams and graduated from Washington High School in 1967. While in Sioux Falls, he earned 1st place in the Billiard Marathon, temporarily holding the record for playing billiards for 75 hours straight.

After graduating from high school, Dave joined the US Army, where he served two tours in Vietnam as a member of Company “D”, 2nd Battalion, 47th Infantry, 3rd Brigade, 9th Infantry Division, and earned the rank of SP6 (Specialist 6th Class/Staff Sergeant). Among many things, his duties included serving as a mess sergeant, where he honed his cooking skills that he would share with others throughout his life. His accomplishments included earning the following in the line of duty: National Defense Service Medal, Vietnam Service Medal, Vietnam Campaign Medal, Army Commendation Medal, Vietnam Cross of Gallantry, and Bronze Star Medal. He later served in the SD Army National Guard. His love for his country never wavered, and he was a lifelong patriot and a member of the American Legion. When told, “Thank you for your service,” he always replied, “It was my honor and my pleasure.” 

After his time in the Army, Dave’s sense of adventure led him to spend over a year traveling in Southeast Asia and living life to the fullest and working in Australia, immersing himself in the outdoors, culture, and friendships.

Dave married Linda Adkins on September 6, 1974, in Sioux Falls, SD, where they started their marriage and adventure of over 50 years together. In 1976, they moved to Windom, MN, and in 1983, they moved to Mitchell, SD. In addition to raising a family, they enjoyed traveling, attending concerts, evenings on the patio, and some friendly competition playing Yahtzee. Their adventures included many roadtrips, cruises in the Caribbean, sightseeing in the UK and Ireland, and staying in a beach bungalow in Belize - all filled with love, laughter, new experiences, and memories to last a lifetime. 

Dave’s career started in construction in Sioux Falls, but he was best known for running Erickson Freedom stores in Windom, MN, and in Mitchell, SD, and being a product specialist and a familiar face at the Cabela’s store in Mitchell since they opened in 2000. No matter the size of the task or the countless hours it took, Dave always gave it 110% and took pride in his work, making many friends along the way. As anyone who has had the experience of engaging with him at the stores knows, it was not just a job - it was a part of him. He was passionate about customer service, creating a “Cheers”-like environment, mentoring staff, and everything outdoors, and it showed. Beyond that, he would light up when he had the chance to share his wealth of knowledge and tales of his personal experiences with customers, helping them find not only what they needed for their next adventure but also some of that childlike excitement that he had.

A lifelong, avid outdoorsman, Dave loved trapping, fishing, hunting, and camping on his own or with friends, family, and his beloved dogs. His love of the outdoors drove him to embrace new experiences outside of just local hunting and fishing, including everything from hunting in Australia to fishing in Alaska and Canada to camping and hiking with the Boy Scouts at Philmont Ranch (Cimarron, NM), to name a few. He was also instrumental in starting The Lake Mitchell Bassmasters Bass Club in 1985 and was a member of many outdoor organizations over the years, such as The Davison County Sportsman's Club, Ducks Unlimited, and the National Wild Turkey Federation. He never hesitated to help organize fishing tournaments, serve on committees, or volunteer at events. 

Dave was a bright light and a blessing to so many, and he will never be forgotten.

He is survived by: his wife - Linda; his three children - Lung (Tammy) Le, Anna (Donovan) Prostrollo, and Michael (Brooke) Carlson; five grandchildren - Ethanson and Angelina Le and Ethan, Aidan, and Elizabeth Carlson; one brother - Tim (De Anna) Carlson; two sisters - Esther Holland and Marla (Gregg) Burtis; and numerous nieces, nephews, grandnieces, grandnephews, great-grandnieces, and great-grandnephews.

Dave was preceded in death by: his parents - Vernon and Katherine Carlson; his father- and mother-in-law - Jim and Margy (Thom) Adkins; and his brothers-in-law - Donald, Paul, and David Adkins.

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