Lester E. Carlson, who co-owned with his wife a Tupperware training and distribution center in Northern Virginia, died June 7 of pancreatic cancer at Carroll Hospice’s Dove House. The Westminster resident was 70.

The son of Melvin O. Carlson, a Bendix Radio Corp. worker, and Aleatha Arbaugh Carlson, a founder and the first headmistress of Carroll Christian Academy, Lester Emory Carlson was born in Hanover, Pa., and raised in Westminster, where he graduated from Westminster High School in 1964.

After earning a bachelor’s degree in 1968 from what is now McDaniel College, where he had been enrolled in the college’s ROTC program, he was commissioned a lieutenant in the Army.

He served with the 3rd Infantry Division, which was stationed in Wurzburg, Germany. He was discharged in 1970.

In 1969, Mr. Carlson married Gail Haines, a teacher.

Mr. Carlson enrolled at the University of Baltimore, from which he earned his law degree in 1973. After passing the bar, he practiced real estate law with Stephen B. Bourexis in Westminster and later with Ralph G. Hoffman, also in Westminster.

In 1981, he and his wife moved to Manassas, Va., when they established a Tupperware training and distribution center for Tupperware Home Parties.

They moved back to Westminster in 2001 and retired from the business in 2010.

Mr. Carlson enjoyed playing golf, riding his bike and working in his yard.

He was an active member of New Hope Fellowship Church in Westminster.

A celebration of Mr. Carlson’s life will be held at 3 p.m. June 25 at Carroll Lutheran School, 1738 Old Taneytown Road, Westminster.

In addition to his wife, he is survived by two daughters, Gretchen Carpenter of Sparks and Jocelyn Carlson of Woodbridge, Va.; his mother, of Westminster; a sister, Cookie Larrick, of Mount Airy; and four granddaughters.

—?Frederick N. Rasmussen