Background
Carlson was born to Swedish immigrants in Des Moines, Iowa in 1905, and attended public schools in Des Moines.
Carlson was born to Swedish immigrants in Des Moines, Iowa in 1905, and attended public schools in Des Moines.
He then attended Drake University, Augustana College, and the University of Nebraska. He was a savings and loan executive. Carlson served as Mayor of Des Moines from 1960 to 1962, and on the Des Moines City Council since 1958.
He was later elected to the Iowa State Senate, serving the 29th district from 1971 to 1973 as a Republican.
He died in 2006 at the age of 100.