Wayne Carlson

Wayne Carlson was a practical, even-keeled man, a hardworking man of great strength and greater character. He was a tough man, who often lived a tough life, but was never hardened by it. Wayne was a proud veteran, loving husband, father, grandfather and friend, a man with a sweet tooth and a golden heart, a heart he shared with all those around him.

Wayne’s story began on a cool fall day in 1928, as the leaves filled with color in Grand Rapids, Michigan. Those were good days in this country, the twilight of the Roaring 20s, and the calm before the storm of the Great Depression. On October 26, 1928, Walter and Martha (Mellema) Carlson celebrated the birth of a baby boy, a son they named Wayne.

The family lived in the northwest side of Grand Rapids, where his dad worked in sheet metal, and his mother cared for the home. Wayne was joined by his little brother Roger when he was nine years old, after the tough times of the Depression had passed. Wayne vividly recalled the profound impact that period had on his family and the country, and it affected the man he became.

Wayne attended Harrison Park Elementary School, before heading off to Grand Rapids Union High School. He enjoyed school, and was a very good student, excelling at math and mechanical drawing.

After he graduated in 1946, Wayne began attending trade school to learn sheet metal, just like his dad. He worked some with his father, before setting his sights on becoming a firefighter. He was too short to meet the height requirements, however, so he stuffed cardboard into his shoes to make himself taller!

He was eventually accepted as a firefighter, though Uncle Sam had other plans for him. The very same day he was accepted, he was drafted into the U.S. Army, during the Korean War. So instead of fighting fires, Wayne shipped off to Germany, where he served for two years working on armored tanks. He was a very strong young man, nicknamed “Sven” thanks to his Swedish heritage (he preferred to consider himself all-Swede), and was built just like the tanks he worked on!

When his service ended, Wayne returned home, where he went to work at Waltz Holtz and later Enterprise Sheet Metal in Grand Rapids. He saved some money, and bought a shiny-new ’52 Oldsmobile, too. One night in June of 1953, Wayne was having dinner at Hub’s Inn, when he spotted a gorgeous young woman named Kitty Riordan. It was love at first sight for Wayne, though she fell in love with his car!

They had their first date at a dance hall in Grand Haven, right on the beach. She forgot her ID, so they had to dance in the minors section, but Wayne still called her the next day. They quickly fell in love, were engaged after six months, and married within the year, on July 3, 1954, at Holy Spirit Catholic Church. Wayne always said she married him for that ’52 Oldsmobile!

The newlyweds honeymooned in the Upper Peninsula, before settling in Grand Rapids. It wasn’t long before the couple became parents, as well, with the birth of their first child, Sue, in 1956. Terri followed in ’59, Robin in ’64, and Eric rounded out the happy family in 1970. The couple eventually built a home in Tallmadge Township where they raised their family, and where Wayne would live the rest of his days.

Wayne was a great dad, with a very practical approach to parenting, just like everything. All his kids called him Wayne, because, well, that was his name! It never detracted from the love and respect they had for him, however. He was a very even-keeled man, who never got mad, content to set a quiet example for his kids.

The family did much together over the years, and enjoyed countless camping trips together when the kids were growing up. They often camped at Grand Haven State Park with friends, and every summer they spent two weeks at a cottage at Silver Lake. Wayne was an outdoorsman at heart, and loved camping, fishing or hunting, with his family or his friends.

Wayne was a great provider for his family, and worked very hard at Enterprise Sheet Metal, where he was a proud member of Local Sheet Metal Workers Union No. 7. He never missed work, and went in to work even when he was sick or hurting. He was a very tough man, who loved to talk politics and was never afraid to speak his mind, chomping on his pipe the whole while.

Wayne’s health took a turn for the worse in 1984, when he was diagnosed with a benign brain tumor. He needed surgery, and was given just a 50-50 chance for survival. Wayne pulled through, though he was left changed. His personality was different, and he had some lingering physical problems, as well. He would eventually retire from Enterprise in 1991.

While Wayne was always a very reserved man, he became more so after his surgery, content to keep to himself around his home, where he felt most comfortable. He remained active and helpful around the house, and was always good at fixing things, but he was never quite the same.

Wayne’s appetite remained the same, however, especially his famous sweet tooth. He was well-known for his insatiable appetite for chocolate and cookies, and no matter how many he devoured, he never put on weight! He could eat chocolate ice cream by the gallon, as well. Wayne would pretty much eat anything in sight though, except for onions, and never needed bread — he just wanted the meat.

Wayne’s health continued to decline later in life, when he was mostly content to watch westerns and war movies on TV. Sadly, Wayne died at his home on Sunday, February 10, 2008, at the age of 79.

Wayne was a good, hardworking man, strong and strong-willed, a tough man who often lived a tough life. He was a proud veteran, loving husband, father, grandfather and friend, a man with a sweet tooth and a golden heart. He will be greatly missed.

Wayne is survived by his wife of 53 years, Kathleen “Kitty”; children, Sue & Chip Klein, Terri & Fred Marckini, Robin & Rob Lewakowski, and Eric & Julie Carlson; grandchildren, Nick Marckini, Katey Marckini, Erika Lewakowski, Kevin Carlson, Kyle Carlson, Amy Klein, and Heather & Michael Blase. Also surviving are brother and sister-in-law, Roger & Kathy Carlson, brothers and sisters-in-law, Joe & Sharon Riordan, Terry & Eldine Riordan, Ray & Carol Obetts, Barb & Bill Fischer, Jack & Janet Riordan, Charles & Rose Riordan, Patti & Greg Hardin, and Rick & Paula Riordan; numerous nieces, nephews, and cousins; and special family friend, Jackie Kort. He was preceded in death by his brother-in-law, Jim Riordan and sisters-in-law, Char Obetts and Ann Riordan. The funeral Mass will be celebrated at 10 AM on Wednesday February 13, 2008 at St. Anthony of Padua Catholic Church, 2510 Richmond St. NW. Friends may meet the family on Tuesday from 4-7 PM at Heritage Life Story Funeral Homes, 2120 Lake Michigan Dr. NW with a vigil service at 6:30 PM. In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be made to the charity of one’s choice. Please visit www.lifestorynet.com to share a memory, photo, or sign the guestbook if you are unable to attend.