Harold William Carlson, 77, died peacefully in his home in Morton Grove, IL, on Friday, June 24, 2011, after a long illness. He was born December 4, 1933 to Erick and Della (Carl) Carlson in Karlstadt, MN. Following his mothers death, when he was just an infant, he was raised by his cousins' family on their farm in Strandquist, MN together with his aunt and uncle, Eric and Edith Anderson in Chicago, whom he was later adopted by. He graduated from Senn High School in Chicago, attended Colorado A & M, and DeVry Institute of Chicago. He married Ann Barbara Nord of Chicago on December 18, 1954. They lived in Skokie with their three children, William Eric, Robert Alan, and Karin Ann. They have resided in Morton Grove for the past 30 years. Harold was a carpenter by trade and a Trustee of Carpenters Union Local #181. He was a member of the Illinois Masonic Temple. He worked on many downtown Chicago construction projects, including the John Hancock Building, the Sears Tower, and the Lincoln Park Zoo. At one time he owned Carlson Garage Door in Morton Grove. He was also proud to serve the Morton Grove Chapter of the International Lion's Club and the Morton Grove Chamber of Commerce. As a proud Swede, he was a member of Verdandi Lodge #3 and Past Grand Master of the International Order of Svithiod; he and his wife were also active members of Varblomman and progressed into the Swedish Folk Dancers. They were also members of the Swedish Museum. He belonged to St. John's Lutheran Church in Lincolnwood where he served as President of the Church Council. He was a Scoutmaster in the Northwest Suburban Boy Scout Council; his extraordinary service was recognized by his election to Vigil Membership in the Order of the Arrow. He loyally followed the Cubs, the Bears, and the Blackhawks. His ever present video camera chronicled every family event. He and Barbara loved traveling the world; he especially loved his ""home away from home"" in Briggsville, WI, where he spent summers with his growing family, enjoying every beautiful Lake Mason sunset. These sunsets will now remind his still growing family of how he blessed their lives. He will be forever missed by his beloved wife of 56 years, Barbara; as well as by his children and their families: Dr. William Carlson (Dr. Carroll Ann Brennan) of Stuart, FL; Robert Carlson (Dorothy) of Arlington Heights, IL; and Karin Schmidt (late Todd) of Morton Grove, IL; grandchildren, Steve, Erick, Sean, Colleen (Marc Chappron), Katie, Brynn, Karl, Clare, Spencer, and Riley: by countless relatives and friends here and in Sweden, and by his devoted caregiver, Rafal Dunaj. Funeral arrangements have been entrusted to Nelson Funeral Home, 820 Talcott Rd., Park Ridge, IL 60068. Visitation will be held on Tuesday, June 28, from 3 to 9 p.m., at the funeral home. A funeral liturgy will be celebrated at St. John's Lutheran Church, 4707 W. Pratt Ave., Lincolnwood, IL 60712 on Wednesday, June 29, at 10 a.m. Interment St. Peter Cemetery. A memorial celebration will be held in Briggsville, WI later this summer. Funeral info 847-823-5122, www.nelsonfunerals.com.