Jan Elizabeth Carson

Jan Carson, 80, peacefully passed away on Wednesday May 24, 2023 at Fairview Hospital in Edina, MN.

Jan was born on August 14, 1942 in Des Moines, Iowa to William and Jennie Unsderfer and grew up on 41st Street. She attended Roosevelt High School and Iowa State University earning a degree in special education. Jan went on to work 34 years teaching home living skills to her “Special Friends”, first at Slinker School and then Ruby VanMeter.

In 1965, Jan married Rick Carson and they were happily married for 50 years. They raised two boys, Timothy and Christopher, who then gave them six grandchildren. After retirement, they moved to their lake home in Nevis, MN in 2004 where she resided until she passed away.

Jan enjoyed spending time with her family and friends at her lake home on Lake Belle Taine in Nevis, Royal Resorts in Cancun, and various trips she would take with her dear friends from high school. Her favorite activities though were spending time with her six grandchildren and long, lazy pontoon rides.

She was a great Christian role model to all who knew her, as she wore her strong faith in God on her sleeve. Her bright smile and engaging personality made it very easy for anyone to have a conversation with her, and she treated all her friends, and friends of her sons and family, as her own. As a matter of fact, she was famously known as “Grandma Jan” to the friends of her grandchildren. She will be truly missed.

Jan was preceded in death by her parents, Bill and Jen; brother, Lt. Colonel Bill Unsderfer Jr.; and dear husband, Rick.

Jan is survived by her sons, Timothy (Margaret) of Des Moines, Iowa and Christopher (Karla) of Eden Prairie, Minnesota; sister-in-law, Grace (Norm) Reinier of Newton, Iowa; grandchildren, Fr. Maxwell, Rocco, and Vinny Carson, Matthew (Brooke), Andrew, and Audrey Carson; nephews, Bill (Carol) Unsderfer, Brian (Gloria) Unsderfer, and Joseph (Nicole) Nichols.

A memorial service will be held 11:00 am June 9, 2023 at McLaren’s Resthaven Chapel, 801-19th Street, West Des Moines, IA 50265. Visitation will from 10 am until service time at McLaren’s. There will be a second service on July 1, 2023 at 10:00 am at Peace Lutheran Church in Nevis, MN.

Memorial contributions may be directed to the Special Olympics in memory of Jan.