Milton Carlson

Milton J. Carlson took another step of his journey, dying of natural causes on June 1, 2020.

Milt was born in Denver, Colorado on July 18, 1930, to Milton and Augustine Carlson, the fifth of six children. He graduated from East Denver High School and attended the University of Colorado and Denver University. After serving two years in the U.S. Army, he continued his work with American Crystal Sugar Company headquarters in Denver. Milt met Barbara J. Smith from Glencoe, Illinois, at Arapahoe Basin in Colorado. They were married on May 19, 1954, to ski through life together. Their union resulted in bringing forth four children and, subsequently, seven grandchildren and five great grandsons. Their Colorado life centered on family, work, serving in the Episcopal Church and community volunteering.

In 1974, the family moved to Oakland, California, when Milt accepted an executive position with Union Sugar Company of San Francisco, where he served until his early retirement in June, 1986. They continued their community and church involvement in the Bay Area where they enjoyed a wealth of friends and activities. His clown Bruch was birthed at what is now the Sophia Center in Oakland. His studies in Creation Spirituality at Holy Names College became the centerpiece of the rest of his life.

The Universe provided yet another surprise when, on a summer backpacking trek in 1988, Milt and B.J. spotted a home in Kalispell that beckoned them to the Flathead. They bought it two days later and settled into the community.

In the ensuing years, Milt volunteered in various ways. They included the Kalispell City-County Planning Board, EarthSong (a non-profit public benefit corporation), Sunrift Center for Sustainable Communities, Citizens for a Better Flathead, 17 years with the Flathead Land Trust in various capacities, engagement with Northridge Lutheran Church, and 23 years as a director of Tri-Valley Corporation of Bakersfield, California. His memberships also include the Hockaday Museum of Art, Central School Museum, Friends of the Wild Swan. Montana Wilderness Association, Glacier Symphony and Chorale, Glacier Institute, Flathead Lakers and other local groups.

Preceding him in leaving the world were his parents; his brothers Walter Carlson, John Carlson and Bob Carlson; and his sisters, Barbara Denniston and Marilyn Schwan. He is survived by B.J., his wife of 66 years, of Kalispell; daughters Amy Evans of Divide, Colorado and Sherry Grazda of Mancos, Colorado; sons Jeff Carlson (Cheri) of Whitefish and Ken Carlson (Peggy) of Littleton, Colorado; seven grandchildren: Rebecca Dunn, Benjamin Grazda, Marisa Robinson, Kristin Miller, Jeremy Carlson, Craig Carlson, Heather Carlson and five great-grandsons.

Memorials may be made to Northridge Lutheran Church, 323 Northridge Drive, Kalispell, MT 59901.

Cremation has taken place in Kalispell. Private family memorial services will be on Monday, June 8.