Arthur Bruce Carlson, 91, Fort Madison, Iowa passed peacefully Sunday, March 22, 2026, at the Southeast Iowa Regional Hospice House, West Burlington, Iowa, after a courageous battle against esophageal cancer.  He was born April 16, 1934, the youngest son of Dr. Rudie Julius and Alma (Vold) Carlson.

Bruce met Marilyn Tucker, while they both were attending Western Illinois University.  Bruce earned his Bachelors Degree in Chemistry and Math.  After college he joined and served in the United States Army.  Bruce and Marilyn were married June 8, 1958, and were married almost 68 years.  In 1960, they moved to Fort Madison where he went to work at Sheaffer Pen.  He was a chemist and later a desk base and packaging engineer, retiring in 1986.  Bruce, and often with Marilyn at his side, enjoyed traveling for work and fun.  Bruce picked up where his father ended with the story of their family immigration from Sweden to Sioux City, Iowa, where they established their new roots on a farm located at the edge of the Loess Hills that later was honored as a Century Farm.  He soon found he loved writing, and he went on to write for many years.  He established his own publishing company, Quixote Press/Hearts'n Tummies Cookbook Co.  Bruce never met a stranger and he was well known for his story telling.  He also enjoyed yard sales, the Tri-State Rodeo parade, gardening, and playing cards, especially bridge.  Family was most important to him, and he spent many hours playing scrabble and other games, especially with the grandkids.

He is survived by his wife, Marilyn of Fort Madison; two children: Dr. Alan Carlson of Sioux City, Iowa and Lisa (Kris) Nafziger of Wever, Iowa; two grandchildren, Mackenzie and Madeline Nafziger; numerous nieces and nephews; special extended family: brother-in-law Robert Tucker, sister-in-law Dolores Plotner and the Salomon Lim family.  He was preceded in death by his parents, three siblings: Norman, Norma Jean, and Caroline; and one infant sibling.

Bruce's family will greet friends from 9:30 - 10:30 am Thursday, March 26, 2026 at the Barr Memorial Chapel, Fort Madison.  A Celebration of Life Service will follow and begin at 10:30 am Thursday morning at the funeral home with Neal Dodd officiating.  Burial will be at Claypoole Cemetery, rural Wever.  A memorial has been established for the Old Fort Madison Preservation.  Barr Memorial Chapel is honored to serve the Carlson family.