Phillip Carlson

Early Thursday morning Friend, Colleague, Uncle, Brother, Grandpa and my Dad, Phillip Carlson, went home to HEAVEN to be with his his Heavenly Father. He loved his family, sisters, and nothing made him happier than to have everyone together. He was born to Gertrude (Hancock) and Paul Carlson. He had 4 sisters, and since he was the only boy his mother Gert, spoiled him something fierce, he was her favorite. Paul loved nickname the kids and Phil was nicknamed “Pete”. When he got in trouble, and this was frequent, his name was Phil and the troublemaker was “Pete” his evil twin. Not a tough sell since he also had twin older sisters Paula and Pauline. 

 He loved to have a good time, PROVEN by his amazing laugh. In his teen years he loved to hunt and he also built a shack to party in “Pete’s Shack”. The stories he told about that shack were something else. 

 After Graduating from Newberry High School as the class president he joined the National Guard, and went to engineering school and started his career with Grinnell and landed in Fire Protection. Inspired to make a difference and save lives after hearing about the 1958 Our Lady of Angels Schoolhouse fire in Chicago where 92 children perished. 

 At Grinnell, he excelled quickly through the ranks. Phil was a person who won peoples hearts, he loved talking to people and relating to them via stories. He had a calm and soothing voice and boy was he a ladies man!!! He loved the ladies. 

 Phil and Irene Voss (my mom) met working together and married at St Gabriels Catholic Church in Fulda MN August 28, 1971. They honeymooned out west where Phil picked up one of his favorite sayings from a cowboy. When he was served unappetizing food, and boy was my dad picky. The cowboy said, “Mister I don’t care if you either eat it or wear it”. 

 Phil and Irene did a lot with horses and my dad was TOTALY into every western TV show. Since his memory was terrible he could watch the same ones over and over again. Oh and they weren’t worth watching unless it was a happy ending. 

 Phil started Carlson Fire Protection in 1976. He made one heck of a business and countless friends in Fire Protection. He was a hard worker and was blessed because of it. He was fair, honest, and LOVED to negotiate!!! People at Carlson Fire Protection worked hard and partied hard with amazing company parties and my personal favorite company motorhome ski trips to Indianhead Ski Resort. Dad always said that he never had a bad boss. He also employed numerous family members including nephews, brothers, and me. Instilling a work ethic we will never forget. 

My dad wanted 10 kids, but since he hit perfection the first time, he only got me. Didn’t stop him though from always inviting friends over. Our guest room was constantly occupied. My dad and I were the best of buddies, but once his grandson was born, “Carlson” became his “Little Buddy”. As he should. 

He always saw the good in people--the happy people were his people, he never complained (ok maybe about the temperature of his food), and there was ALWAYS a bright side. He was demanding but also was generous and gracious, polite and grateful. Not a day would go by without him saying “I am a lucky, lucky man”.

Carlson (his grandson) and I, would joke about his sayings on our way to visit him, “put a smile on their face and their whole day would get better”. He was an early riser and when we would sleep in he would say “Get up, it’s daylight in the swamp!” He also was adamant about church every Sunday and Holy days, but most of the time he couldn’t which days those were.

The past year was a blessing and also difficult. It was getting harder for him to watch the kids perform. His greatest joy was being with me and the kids. From preschool graduation at St. Joes, to the Mayer Lutheran football & volleyball games, he was there! Even when I was skiing Freestyle events all over the continent, he was there. He was an amazing man, admired, loved his family above all things earthly, and had Jesus in his heart. He was a class act and always strived to do his BEST. 

 Dad, I will miss being able to call you. 

Dad, I will miss spending holidays with you, boating with you, and going to the kids events with you. 

I know you will be at EVERY one of the kid’s events now, listening to Aubry play the violin “that’s my angel”, cheering for Aubry on each of her volleyball serves “Let’s go sweetie”. On every goalie save in Soccer, to cheer her up when she is sad and have an encouraging word. 

He will be cheering for every football play for Carlson “let go Buddy”, every tackle, every interception and every run. He was so proud of the kids, of me. He couldn’t stop talking about how proud of us he was. We are proud of him, too. For the amazing example he was for Jesus, for staying positive, and wanting us happy.

 I love you so much. Even when he couldn’t talk when intubated he would mouth to all of us, “I love you so much!” We love you too Grandpa, soooo much. So much. You are an amazing man, an inspiration, and we are incredibly proud of you too. 

 Matthew 25:23 “His master replied, “Well done, good and faithful servant!” 

Phillip A Carlson “Pete" will be dearly missed by his loving daughter, Jacklyn (Greg) Hayes; his 2 grandchildren, Carlson and Aubry; 2 sisters, Patricia Masich and Pamela (John) Warren and nieces and nephews.

 In Lieu of Flowers we would family would like donations sent to:  https://twolightsfoundation.org/ -Charity for children to receive scholarships for a christian education.

 Funeral service will be 2 p.m. Sunday, February 9, 2025 at the Church of St. Joseph with Father Brandon Theisen presiding. Visitation will be for one hour prior to the service. There will also be a visitation held Monday evening, February 10, from 4-6 p.m at the Mahn Family Funeral Home, Bodelson-Mahn Chapel in Red Wing.

Spring Burial at St Gregory’s Catholic Cemetery in Newberry Michigan at the family plot, with family who proceeded him; Mother Gertrude, Father Paul, Sisters Paula and Pauline, nephews, and other family.