Catherine "Katie" F. Thurston Carlson was born August 5, 1943 in Dorchester, Massachusetts to Paul and Winifred (Kitterick) Lyon. She died June 27, 2021 at Pioneer Memorial Hospital in Viborg, South Dakota at the age of 77 years, 10 months and 22 days.

Katie was born into a military family and she was raised in several areas. She graduated from high school in Puerto Rico. She became a master floral designer while working in Massachusetts. She moved to St. Croix in the US Virgin Islands in 1991 where she eventually met Gary Carlson. They were married November 2, 2001 and continued living in St. Croix until moving to South Dakota with Gary in 2005.

She will be remembered for her love of flowers, especially orchids. Katie had many floral gardens at her home in Beresford she enjoyed caring for. She also enjoyed reading in her free time.

She was preceded in death by her parents and a step-son, Jonathan Carlson.

Grateful to have shared in her life is her husband, Gary Carlson of Beresford; two sons, Keith (Julie) Thurston of New Hampshire and Kevin (Dawn) Thurston of Vermont and their families; two step-sons, Jeremy (Kris) Carlson of Beresford and Dr. Josh (Audri) Carlson of Alcester; step-daughter, Jordyn Butcher of Omaha and their families; two step-brothers, Barry McGinn of New Hampshire and Frank McGinn of Rhode Island; her first cousin, Patricia Donahue of Boston, MA and other relatives and friends.

Visitation will be 5-8PM Tuesday, July 20, 2021 at Wass Funeral Home in Beresford, SD with a prayer service at 6PM. Memorial services will be 11AM Wednesday, July 21, 2021 at Set Free Church in Beresford.