Wesley Carlson

WESLEY E. CARLSON, 90 SAN MARCOS, Calif. - Wesley E. Carlson, 90, of San Marcos, Calif., died on Tuesday, Feb. 26, 2013, in his home. Born Jan. 24, 1923, in Rockford, the son of Swedish immigrants Ernest August Carlson and Gerda Victoria (Lindgren). Wes attended Rockford Central High School and was a member of the first graduating class of the new East High School in 1941. An accomplished musician, one of the memorable moments of his life was during World War II when he was allowed to play the organ for the troops at the historic Rheims Cathedral during the liberation of France. He served with General Patton's Third Army, landing on Utah Beach, crossing France with the Advance Section Communication Zone unit and served as an interpreter and translator in French and German. As an officer, he also served in the American Military Government unit in Bamberg, Germany before returning to Rockford in 1946 to marry his high school sweetheart, Elisabeth Anderson, together they lived exciting lives. First they went to Godthaab, Greenland where Wes served as American Vice Consul for two years, and then to Bern, Switzerland for three years in the American Legation. They moved to California in the 1950's where Wes was an agent in the newly developed Century City, Calif. where his company took care of the home services of many prominent members of the entertainment industry. After 30 years they retired to San Marcos, north of San Diego, where they were close to their Godson, Dana Smith, wife Jaye and Karen Pappas, husband BG and their families. He is survived by his nephew, Robert Carlson, wife Nancy of Roscoe, Ill., and nieces Marlene Carlson, husband Ken Pennington of Washington D.C., Karol Lanning, husband Harold of Marcellus N.Y., and Beverly Hulm, husband Jerry of Bismarck, N.D., as well as cousins in Rockford, New York and Sweden. He is predeceased by his wife Elisabeth; his parents; brother, Roland; and sister, Ina. Graveside service will be at 11 a.m. Friday, March 22, in Scandinavian Cemetery. Memorials to Children's Hospital of Los Angeles, 4650 Sunset Blvd., Los Angeles, CA 90027 or Bethany United Methodist Church, 410 8th St. Rockford, IL 61104. To share a memory or online condolence, visit olsonfh.com. Arrangements by Olson Funeral & Cremation Services, Ltd.