Jim Carroll Karlson, 82, Whitewood, died Monday, November 5, 2012, at the Department of Veterans Affairs, Fort Meade, surrounded by his family.

Visitation will be Wednesday, November 7th from 2:00 p.m. to 7:00 p.m. with the family present from 5:00 to 7:00 p.m. at Kinkade Funeral Chapel

Funeral services will be held Thursday, November 8, 2012, at 10:00 a.m. at Immanuel Lutheran Church in Whitewood with Rev. David Baer officiating. Inurnment will be Friday, November 9th at 9:00 a.m. at Black Hills National Cemetery with military honors provided by the Sturgis Veterans Honor Guard.

Jim was born October 2, 1930, in a sod house at Hoover, SD, to Karl and Nicolena "Lena" (Nelson) Karlson. He was the 11th of 13 children. He attended school at the Fishdraw School near Hoover. The family moved to Belle Fourche and Jim completed his education in Belle Fourche.

Jim worked on various ranches in Montana. He had a son, Karl James.

He entered the U. S. Army in 1952. He served as a paratrooper in Europe. Jim was honorably discharged as a corporal in 1954. He earned the Korean Occupation and the National Defense service medals. He then served eight years in the army reserve.

Jim married Beverly J. Neisent on August 7, 1956, in Miles City, MT. They moved to Nisland, SD, where they raised their family of five children. Jim spent his life as an over-the-road truck driver.

Jim was a member of the Newell First Lutheran Church. He and Beverly have attended Immanuel Lutheran Church in Whitewood since moving to Whitewood in 2009. Jim was a 50 year member of American Legion Post # 5807 and a Lifetime member of the VFW. He also served as a member of the American Legion Honor Guard. He loved a good dirty joke and had a unique, infectious laugh. Jim also loved to hunt and fish.

He is survived by his wife of 56 years, Beverly Karlson, Whitewood; his beloved dog, Gizmo; his children, Karl Karlson-Rost, Michigan, Ky (Wynn) Karlson, Reno, NV, Karrol (Bryant) Herman, Nisland, Steve (Julie) Karlson, Nisland, SD, James Brett (Cathy) Karlson, Reno, NV, and Rusty (Tammy) Karlson, Whitewood; eighteen grandchildren, Hannah and Kelly Rost, Dusky Karlson, Brianna Gose, Josh Herman, Lyndsay Sheeler, Nick Herman, Kimberly Lange, Kory and Kyle Karlson, Chad, Connor, and Destinee Karlson, James Fickbohm, Stephanie Karlson, Brian Karlson, Brandi Pickering, and Colby Karlson; eleven great-grandchildren, Emily, Jack, Kara, Emmaline, Cadence, Alli, Nicolena, James Theodore, Ayden, Riddick, and Judah; one great-great-granddaughter, Addyson; one brother, Al Karlson, California; two sisters, Connie Harper, Washington, and Esther Blomberg, Newell; and numerous nieces and nephews.

He was preceded in death by his parents and nine brothers and sisters.

In lieu of flowers, memorials have been established to the Spearfish Humane Society and the Immanuel Lutheran Church in Whitewood.

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