Francis Robert "Fritz" Carlson, 85,
of Bloomington passed away at Heritage Manor in Normal on Saturday
August 10, 2013 at 2:55 a.m. His wishes for cremation rites have
been accorded. The family will be honoring Fritz in a Celebration
of Life gathering. Please join us at the David Davis Mansion on
Saturday August 24th from 6:00 to 8:00 p.m. 1000 Monroe
Drive, Bloomington. We will have drinks, light hors d'oeuvres and
dessert. Donations and memorials can be made to the David Davis
Mansion Foundation or the American Heart Association.
Kibler-Brady-Ruestman Memorial Home in Bloomington is assisting the
family with the arrangements.
Fritz married Mary Ann Ellenberger
in Gridley, IL on August 19th, 1956. He was born June
22, 1928 in Rochester, IN. His birthday is shared with his Grandson
Drew. His parents were Otto Robert and Frances Lillian Shobe
Carlson.
He is survived by his wife: Mary
Ann Carlson; his son Ned Carlson of Beloit, WI; his two
daughters:Nan (Brenda Huber) Carlson of Normal; Sue (Paul) Murphy
of Edwardsville, IL; his six grandchildren:Matthew (Cassie) Carlson
of Rockford, IL; Elissa (Derek) Moederndorfer of Danvers, IL; Drew
Murphy and Erin Murphy of Edwardsville, IL; Tucker and Tanner
Carlson-Huber of Normal.
He was preceded in death by one
brother: Don Wright Carlson; and two sisters: Christine "Teenie"
Kintner and Florence"Dutch" Casady
Fritz graduated from Purdue
University in 1951 with a degree in Electrical Engineering. Post
graduation he spent 2-1/2 years in the Coast Guard during the
Korean War Conflict aboard the USCGC Winona. He then went to work
for General Electric in Bloomington where he worked for 36 years
and during that time had been promoted to Marketing Manager. Fritz
and Mary Ann enjoyed traveling and visiting family heritage
locations like Sweden and Germany. He loved reading and enjoyed
books about history, enjoyed fishing, and was always busy making
and fixing things in his workshop.
Fritz & Mary Ann had a love of
music and they enjoyed and supported the Illinois Symphony. He was
a member of First United Methodist Church in Normal, Golden K.
Kiwanis, 32NDDegree Mason in the Bloomington Lodge, and
the Fraternal Society of IEEE. He volunteered at the David Davis
Mansion, and he mentored students through the ISU Senior
Professionals program. He was kind and generous in sharing is
talents and wisdom, and was committed to life-long learning. Thank
you to all of our wonderful family members and friends for your
prayers.
To
send flowers
to the family or
plant a tree
in memory of Francis Robert "Fritz" Carlson, please
visit our floral store.