Rev. Carl Welser

The Rev. Carl Frederick Welser, 1936 - 2023 Clergyman, First Responder, Educator, Author, Humorist and Compassionate Community Servant.
"This is the most enormous extension of vision of which life is capable: the projection of itself into other lives. This is the lonely, magnificent power of humanity. It is the supreme epitome of the reaching out." From The Immense Journey by Loren Eiseley
The Rev. Carl F. Welser was born November 16, 1936 to Ralph and Vera (Guyitt) Welser of St. Clair, Michigan, and was gathered into the arms of his Lord Jesus on December 24, 2023.
Carl married his college sweetheart and love of his life, Carole Ann (Heino) Welser, in June of 1959. He was ordained into the ministry in June of 1960. Together they raised four children; daughter Wendy Welser, son Scott (Deborah) Welser, son Mark (Lisa) Welser, daughter Heidi (Ray) Swanson; seven grandchildren, Jessica (Scott) Kenyon, David Welser, Jordan (Anna-Grace) Welser, Karl Swanson, Amanda Welser, Erik Swanson and Aili Ann Swanson; and blessed by three great-grandchildren, Henrik, Jack and Samuel Kenyon. Carl is survived by his siblings, brother David (Carol) Welser, and sisters Mary Bauer, Martha Dougherty, and Margaret Anderson. He is remembered by many nieces and nephews.
Rev. Welser shepherded three congregations in his ministry, most recently as pastor of St. Paul's Lutheran Church of Hamburg from 1965 to 1995. After retiring he was active making hospital calls, visiting shut-ins, leading Bible study and singing in the choir at Shepherd of the Lakes Lutheran Church in Brighton, MI.
He was a volunteer fire-fighter and Chaplain of the Hamburg Fire Department Inc., from 1968 until 2003. He was a training officer and certified First Aid Instructor for the Hamburg Fire Department, Inc. and during his tenure he instituted Critical Stress Debriefing protocol for first responders providing critical care in extremely difficult circumstances. Local teachers remember him as a devoted advocate for Fire Prevention Week in local preschools and elementary schools visiting classrooms throughout the district to educate children about fire safety.
The consummate community servant, he became a member of the Mt. Brighton Ski Patrol in 1967, serving as Director of the Ski Patrol from 1974-1977, on the First Aid Training Staff and as a National Ski Patroller from 1972 until 1985. Carl was a founding member of the Hamburg Kiwanis Club, and was the Founder and Organizer of the Hamburg Kohlrabi Festival (1978-1988). He was Organizer and Chief "Soup Seeker" for the Pinckney Community Schools "Empty Bowls" project with Gleaners Community Food Bank from 1997 until 2013. Rev. Welser was voted one of Livingston County's Top Citizens on more than one occasion.
Rev. Welser wrote a weekly column ("Parson to Person" and "Tales from the Kohlrabi Patch") for the Brighton Argus/Livingston County Press from 1981 until 2017. He also authored numerous articles for Fire & Safety and Fire Engineering Magazines. He was many times the featured subject in Detroit Free Press columns by Nickie McWhirter, Jeremy Iggers and Judd Arnett. Several of his anecdotes were featured in "The News from Lake Wobegon" by Radio-Humorist Garrison Keillor, on the nationally syndicated broadcast show "A Prairie Home Companion."
In his later years Rev. Welser could regularly be found in local classrooms reading books and poetry out loud with his beautiful bass voice, and conjuring some of his own stories with the help of students. Many will remember his annual reading of "In Flanders Field" as an officiant of the Hamburg Memorial Day Parade, from 1965 until 2022.
He was dearly loved, and will be sorely missed by all his family and friends throughout the community. Well done, good and faithful servant. Enter into the joy of your Maker.
Reverend Welser's family and friends will gather Thursday, January 4, 2024, from 5:00PM-8:00PM and Friday, January 5, 2024, from 1:00PM-3:00PM & 5:00PM-8:00PM at Borek Jennings Funeral Home, Hamburg Chapel. His Community Farewell will be held on Saturday, January 6, 2024 at 11:00AM (10AM gathering), at Shepherd of the Lakes Lutheran Church, 2101 S. Hacker Road, Brighton, Michigan. Rev. Keith Dwyer will serve as celebrant. In lieu of flowers the family requests that contributions be made in his honor to the Pinckney Foundation or the Alzheimer's Association. Please leave a message of comfort for Carl's family at 1-877-231-7900.
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