Dorothy Carlson-Harms, age 101, of Wessington Springs, died Tuesday, September 2, 2025, at Weskota Manor. Funeral services were held at 10:30 a.m., Saturday, September 6, 2025, at Nurnberg-Basham Funeral Service in Wessington Springs. Burial followed at Prospect Hill Cemetery. Visitation was one hour prior to services on Saturday.
Dorothy was born on August 18, 1924, in Wessington Springs. She was the third of fourteen children born to David and Sarah Swenson. She grew up on the family farm in Jerauld County. After graduating from Wessington Springs High School, she received her Teaching Certificate from Wessington Springs College and later received her college degree from Dakota Wesleyan. She taught rural schools and at Wessington Springs Elementary School until retiring in 1986.
Dorothy married Loren Carlson in 1948 and they made their home on their farm until Loren’s retirement and then lived in Wessington Springs. After Loren’s passing she married Earl Harms in 1998 and they made their home in Wessington Springs and Austin, TX. In 2011, Dot moved to Weskota Manor where she lived until her passing.
Dorothy enjoyed some traveling, was a member of the Historical Society, the Town and Country Flower Club, the Sing and Sew Extension Club, and was a volunteer in the Senior Center and the Wessington Springs Museum. She was also a long time member of the First Baptist Church and the Immanuel Baptist Church.
Survivors include one brother Keith (Diane) Swenson, Windsor, CA, and sisters Marguerite Waggett, Highlands Ranch, CO, Pearl Burkart, Clovis, CA and many nieces and nephews.
She was preceded in death by her parents, her husbands, and by sisters Ethel Swenson, Ardith Graves, and Karen Dubin, brothers Forrest June Swenson, Roger Swenson, John Swenson, Robert Swenson, Donald Swenson, Clyde Swenson and Clinton Swenson.
Arrangements are with Nurnberg-Basham Funeral Service.
