Todd Carlson

Todd Harold Carlson, 70, passed away peacefully at home with his family at his side on Wednesday, Jan. 19, after a brief battle with cancer.

Blessed with an endless tapestry of family, in-laws and friends, Todd lived with vigor until the very end. Among his many passions were the peace of the outdoors, from teaching his son and grandchildren to fish and hunting Buffalo County’s rolling landscape to tinkering with woodwork, antique muzzleloader rifles and European deer mounts.

Todd leaves behind a rich racing pedigree behind the handlebars of his own dragstrip motorcycles up to the 1980s, passing down his thrill-seeker spirit to his son Benjamin and most recently his 6-year-old grandson Kane.

Todd never turned down an opportunity to dance, and dance well, from the 1970s disco scene with his wife Georgia up to the many weddings he officiated as a recently ordained minister.

Todd was a gifted auto-body painter for 50-plus years and could always be counted on by his race family to add flair to helmets and motorcycles and assist with events over five decades. Never one to decline a call for help, Todd held his flip-phone at the ready at all times, always making time to lend a hand and save the day.

The Carlsons lived on the same cul-de-sac along Little Green Lake for close to 30 years, a tight knit community of friends with an open-door policy who always tolerated the family’s buzzing bikes, ATVs and golf carts and shared in an annual Packer block party.

As is true with all great men, nothing mattered more to him than his family, having married into a large, boisterous sisterhood in Mondovi, Wis., that cherished him equally as a brother and son-in-law and most amusing uncle.

Todd was preceded in death by his mother June Hubbard Carlson, birth father Harold Zemke and the man who faithfully raised him into manhood, David Carlson.

He also meets again on the other side his younger brother Timm Carlson and is survived by Lorraine Olson and Tom and Lynn (Olson) Liebenstein of Nekoosa.

Missing his piercing blue eyes and impressive head of hair the most is his beloved wife of 49 years, Georgia (Thompson) Carlson, who shared Todd’s pride and joy, his children Stephanie of Rock Hill, S.C., Benjamin of West Bend and Ben’s wife Stacy (Riedel) Carlson.

Todd’s gifts and maverick energy live on in his grandchildren Ty Fleming, now of West Bend, and Kane and Piper Carlson of Rock Hill, S.C., all of whom have spent every summer and holiday season with Nana and Papa immersed in lake life and power sports.

Stephanie and Benjamin have assured Todd his devoted wife will be cared for, his household commitments and unfinished projects tended to and a cup of coffee provided for her in the morning.

Special gratitude to Victoria with Aurora Health who assisted with care in his final days and showed us the light still within him.

A celebration of life will be held at 4 p.m. on Jan. 29 at Newburg Sportsman Club, where we will dance to Motown and talk ourselves hoarse swapping stories, as he would have loved.

Phillip Funeral Home of West Bend is assisting the family.
(262) 338-2050
www.phillipfuneralhome.com