Harold O. Carlson

(1917-2007)

Member #193

Rock River Thresheree Class of 1985

FORT ATKINSON -- Harold O. Carlson, 90, of Fort Atkinson, WI, passed away Tuesday, Aug. 14, 2007, at his home. He was born on July 24, 1917, in Cambridge, WI, the son of the late John and Alma (Gabrielson) Carlson. Harold married Myrtle Rasmussen on Oct. 28, 1934, in Stoughton, WI.

In earlier years Harold worked as a hired hand on a farm. During World War II, Harold was a foreman at Douglas Aircraft in Illinois. He worked several years at General Motors in Janesville. He became a finish carpenter, and a member of the United Brotherhood of Carpenters and Joiners of America. Harold purchased a farm outside of Busseyville in 1964 and then moved there in 1965, where he farmed and also continued to work in the carpenter field.

He loved to go hunting, fishing, camping, traveling in his motor home, and was an avid collector of old tractors, toy tractors and guns. He and Mom loved to go to various flea markets, where they bought and sold antiques. Harold was a member of Central Lutheran Church, the Rock County Thresheree and the Cranberry Festival in Warren, WI.

Harold is survived by 3 sons: Duane (Carol Chwala) Carlson of Edgerton, Allen Carlson of Fort Atkinson and James T. (Carol) Carlson of Edgerton; a daughter, Eileen (Bruce) Olsen of Beloit, WI; 17 grandchildren; 16 great-grandchildren; and many nieces and nephews.

In addition to his parents, he was preceded in death by his wife, Myrtle Rasmussen Carlson in 2003; brother Carl Carlson; 2 sisters, Ella Melaas and Anna Schulz; and 2 daughters-in-law, Kathy and Sandy.

The funeral service will be held at 10:30 a.m. on Monday, Aug. 20, 2007, at Central Lutheran Church, with Pastor Ed Pappe officiating. Burial will be in Rockdale Lutheran Cemetery. Visitation time will be from 4 until 7 p.m. Sunday at the Whitcomb-Lynch-Albrect Funeral Home, Edgerton, and from 10 a.m. until time of service Monday at the church.

[Source: The Janesville Gazette, Thursday, August 16, 2007]