Jacqueline Carlson said she has taken over the Carlson Insurance Agency, in Dalton Gardens, in the absence of her husband, Jerry Carlson, who was arrested and eventually sentenced for cocaine charges.

She said the agency is running strong today, and she's committed to making sure that continues.

Jacqueline Carlson, 46, was a stay-at-home mom with no insurance training or business-operating experience before her husband was arrested in early 2009.

"Shortly after Jerry's arrest, I stepped in and took over the accounting and bookkeeping," she said.

Jerry Carlson, 48, was sentenced to 27 months in prison, and last month he began serving his time. Jacqueline Carlson said her husband likely won't serve the full term and will be out some time after he has completed his first year.

She said it was a struggle to learn the business as quickly as was necessary after the arrest. In March of this year, she earned her license in property, casualty, disability and life insurance.

Carlson Insurance Agency, located at 7736 N. Government Way, lost 90 percent of its business when Jerry Carlson was arrested, as Farmers Insurance Group severed ties with him and the business.

"Since then we've been slowly building business back up," she said. "Several people have come back to us. It just takes time."

She said some clients who have come back said they believe that what happened with Jerry Carlson and what happens with the business are separate.

There was too much family pride in the business to just let it collapse, she said.

"I had other options I could think about (after he was arrested), but this was the only option that made sense to me," she said. "The business is the family's livelihood. It was for the survival of our family. Jerry started it from scratch more than 20 years ago."

The couple, which have been married 22 years, have three children, two in college and one in high school.

Along with Jacqueline, Carlson Insurance has three employees. The couple's son, John Carlson, is working there part time, between his college studies. He's a licensed agent, along with Kristen Beaudin. The business also employs Kathy Walker, an administrative assistant.

Jerry Carlson hasn't been involved in the business for a year, and Carlson Insurance now is operating as an independent agency.