Denis Carlson

Denis Dean Carlson (Deny) 77, passed away at his home in Rock Springs, Wyoming, on January 15. 2023.  

A Graveside Service with military honors will be held at the North Dakota Veterans’ Cemetery, Mandan, ND, on June 23, 2023 at 11:00 A.M.

Deny was born in Bismarck, ND, on March 18, 1945. He spent his grade school years in Regan, McClusky and Underwood, ND, moving to Bismarck in 1959 with his family.  He attended Hughes Junior High and graduated from Bismarck High School in 1963. He was very musically inclined and played first chair trombone in the BHS Concert Band and sang in the BHS Concert Choir.

After graduation he enlisted in the U.S. Air Force and served in various capacities in the United States, England and Pakistan, where, with the highest security clearance possible, he tracked Soviet spy planes.  After his service, he attended Dickinson State College, Dickinson, ND, for a time, where he met Ann Johnson, of Sentinel Butte, ND.  They were married in 1970. They resided in Bismarck, ND, where Deny was employed by Berg Bismarck Motor Company, and was eventually promoted to store manager.  Deny and Ann had two daughters, Meredith Lynn and Carisa Marie.  After this marriage ended, Deny moved to Rock Springs, Wyoming, where he was employed by City Motors, again rising to the position of store manager.  In 1986, Deny married Eileen Shaw of Rock Springs.  Eileen had two children, James (Jimmy) and Robyn, whom Deny happily brought into his expanded circle of family members.  Deny retired in 2007, giving him time to enjoy travelling and camping with his fifth-wheel camper, and making a trip to North Dakota nearly every summer to see his parents and family members. 

As stated before, Deny was very musically inclined, and in his adult years he often jammed and played guitar with a group of work friends who dubbed themselves “The Uncalled Four.”  He also sang beautifully and was a part of several community music events during the ‘70s and early ‘80s.

Deny had a loving personality and a giving heart. He was there whenever anyone needed help with any type of project.  When his daughters both moved to the Minneapolis area, he was there whenever they needed help with any type of project, offering his expert advice and help, which they gladly accepted.  

He is survived by his wife, Eileen, Rock Springs; his daughters, Meredith Palecek and her husband, Justin, Palecek, along with their children, Celia Carlson Palecek and Lukas Palecek; Carisa Carlson Bishop, her husband, Kent Bishop and their children, Makenzie and Cooper, all of the Minneapolis area; Robyn Shaw and her fiancé, Robert Wright, Rock Springs; sister, Mary Carlson Baird, and her husband, LaRoy Baird of Bismarck; brother, Robert Carlson and his partner, Paul Gael of Chicago, Ill.; Josh Harbison, Skyler Shaw, Bella Solis and several great-grandchildren, nephews and nieces.

He was preceded in death by his parents, Denis Carlson and Catherine Shypkoski Carlson, his brother, Douglas Carlson, his sister, Alice Johnson and son, James Shaw.

A gathering will be held at The Broadway Restaurant, corner of Broadway Ave. and Mandan St. in Bismarck immediately after the services.