Glenn Carlson

Glenn “Butch” Carlson, age 83, of Elburn, passed away into the arms of his Savior, Saturday, June 22, 2019, surrounded by the love and prayers of his family.
He was born January 12, 1936 to proud parents, Lester and Irene (Abrahamson) Carlson.
Butch grew up in Lily Lake and attended local schools. He spent his childhood growing up in and around Abrahamson Hardware Store and graduated from Burlington Central High School where he excelled in athletics.
Following graduation, he joined his brother working for the family farm implement business, Carlson Brother’s. In 1959, Butch answered the call of his country and served faithfully in the United States Army. He was honorably discharged in June of 1960 and returned to civilian life and found work at Burgess-Norton Manufacturing in Geneva. He dedicated 32 years before retiring as a Quality Control Inspector.
Glenn knew Alice Read Richards from his early life, but fate brought them together when they walked down the aisle on June 15, 1959 at the Little White Chapel in Las Vegas, NV. The moment he said “I do”, Butch had an instant family of five children. They began their new life together at Ft. Huachuca in Sierra Vista, AZ, where he was stationed in the Army at the time. They returned to Elburn, IL, where they continued to make a lifetime of memories.
He was a member of the Elburn Community Congregational Church and was a life-time member of the Elburn American Legion, Post 630. Butch was the oldest living Elburn Lions Club member where he dedicated his heart and hands for many years and was the recipient of Life Membership Award and their highest honor, the Melvin Jones Fellowship. He helped during Elburn Days, including Bingo Tent, Hot Dog Booth, sold the most car raffle tickets and had the distinction of selling the winning ticket on several occasions.
He was a man of few words, had a work ethic forged in steel, and had a compassionate heart that beat for his community and fellow man. Butch enjoyed playing games of chance, often trying his luck at the casino, and he was no stranger to a lively game of poker with friends, complete with a stiff drink close at hand. Alice passed away in 1997, bringing darkness to his heart, but he found sunshine in Jan Callaghan who shared a loss of her own. Together they contributed over twenty years of companionship, discovering a new life of love and laughter. His family was his greatest love and reveled in the role of “Grandpa” to 16 grandchildren, 20 great-grandchildren and one great-great grandson. A “fixer upper”, Butch would tinker with anything and everything, from untying multiple knots in necklaces to making sure all the grandkids had working bicycles. He loved to take road trips; their destinations included the Wisconsin Dells, Arizona, Florida, and made it to Hawaii twice. Butch was the number one fan for both the Chicago Cubs and his beloved Bears.
He is survived by five children: Sandi Frost, Trudy (Wally) Zeliasz, Ron (Julie) Richards, Donna (Bob) Harner and Darryl (Nancy) Carlson; one daughter-in-law, Joan Richards; two siblings: Margaret Swanson and LeRoy Carlson; his best friend, partner, and constant companion, Jan Callaghan and her family; 16 grandchildren, 20 great-grandchildren, one great-great grandson; many nieces, nephews, and host of friends across the countryside.
Butch is preceded in death by his parents, Lester and Irene Carlson, wife Alice; one son Trent Richards and a son-in-law, Bill Frost.
Visitation will be from 9:30-11:00 a.m., followed by a funeral service to celebrate his life at 11 a.m., Tuesday, June 25, 2019, at the Elburn Lions Club, 500 Filmore St., Elburn. Following the service, the Elburn Lions Club will be hosting a luncheon following the service.

In lieu of flowers, a memorial has been established in Butch’s name to benefit the Elburn Lions Club and the Elburn American Legion, Post #630. Checks may be made to the “Glenn Carlson Memorial” and mailed in care of P.O. Box 66, Elburn, 60119. Tributes may also be forwarded to the same address, the Conley Funeral Home Facebook Page, or at www.conleycare.com.

Visitation will be from 9:30-11:00 a.m., followed by a funeral service to celebrate his life at 11 a.m., Tuesday, June 25, 2019, at the Elburn Lions Club, 500 Filmore St., Elburn. Following the service, the Elburn Lions Club will be hosting a luncheon following the service.

Blackberry Twp Cemetery Elburn, IL