John Ernest Carlson was born on September 16, 1930 at the family homestead on Clam Lake, in Siren WI. He passed away peaceful on October 15, 2020 on the same homestead, a place that he treasured with all his heart. John was preceded in death by his father, Paul and older brother, Paul. John attended school until his 8th grade and began working on the family farm until he and his brother went to southern Minnesota to work in the canneries. He and his brother worked there until John was drafted into the military during the Korean War. He was stationed in Germany as a tank crewman. While in the service, he married Donna Rachner from Webster WI, and according to John, “she gave me the greatest gift of the world, my two boys-Johnny and Joey.”

John and his brother Paul began working in the cities together, running Carlson Sewer Company. After his brother’s death in an unfortunate work accident, John took over the business and successfully ran it until his retirement in 1996, when his oldest son took over the business. Although, John needed to work in the cities, his heart was always in Siren at the family homestead and he spent nearly every weekend there until able to return there permanently.

John was a busy man throughout his life, spending much time enjoying teaching his sons and grandson’s about nature and life. John loved wildlife and being outdoors especially deer hunting and fishing. His love of fishing, took him on many trips to Canada for the “best walleyes.” He loved farming and his garden always produced the tastiest of tomatoes-which were always in abundance, meaning he would supply many happy canners in the area with fresh tomatoes to put up for the winter months. He worried about the earth and its future and dedicated much time to his beekeeping with the Northland Beekeepers to promote pollination. If you knew John, you knew his love for his dogs, which were always by his side.

John was very civic minded and believed in his community. He took much pride in his membership in the Siren Lions Club for over 20 years-where he received multiple awards for his service. He was never too busy to help out with whatever the Lions needed, be it, parades, ramp building, school eye exams, fishing contests, the Labor Day-“big one” sale or, of course, his most favorite-the meat raffles! John also was a member of the Loyal Order of the Moose. His love of Clam Lake showed with his many stories of the lake from years gone by, as well as his affiliation in the Clam Lake Association.

Of all the things John enjoyed, there was nothing that brought him more joy and pleasure than spending time with his family. John leaves to celebrate his life, his children; John (Robie) Carlson and Joe (Annaliza) Carlson and his older sister, Phyllis Werdier. He is the proud grandfather of six grandchildren; Kathleen (Mark) Struble; Emily (Paul) Aschenbrener, Michael (Kim) Carlson, Megan (Derrick) Carlson-Formo, Joshua Carlson, Dana (Charlie) Carlson-Kottke, and seven great grandchildren; Marcus, Sean, Tyler, Hailey, Elizabeth, Bennett, and Kelsey. John was loved and will be missed by many nieces, nephews, great nieces and great nephews and many, many friends. Due to Covid-19 concerns, the family will have a private funeral service on Monday, October 19, 2020 at Swedberg-Taylor Funeral Home, Webster. Burial will follow at Siren Lakeview Cemetery. The family is planning to have a celebration of life gathering in the spring at Lions Park in Siren WI to honor John with one last meat raffle when it is safe to do so.

Arrangements were entrusted to Swedberg-Taylor Funeral Home, Webster Wisconsin.

Last Update: Oct 19, 2020 6:09 am CDT