Rodney Theodore Carlson

surrounded by family. Rod was born on September 17, 1928, in Minot, North Dakota to Victor

Samuel & Myrtle Alletta (Grimsrud) Carlson.

They moved from Minot to Green Bay, Wisconsin by 1940. Rod became a lifelong fan of the

Green Bay Packers, living close to Lambeau Field and often riding his bike at night to see his

heroes get off the train after an away game. He played the violin but was most proud of

learning to fly a prop airplane before he learned to drive. He and his friend did odd jobs for

the pilots at the airport who gave them free flight lessons. Rod’s first solo flight was on

February 13, 1945 (only 16 years old) His airplane had skis for landing gear as it was in the

dead of winter. His mother loved to fly with him, but told him to “go slow and low.”

Rod graduated Valedictorian from high school in 1946 then went to the University of

Wisconsin where he received a BBA in 1950. Rod was a member of the ROTC, serving in the

Army Reserve Transportation Corps for 7 years, and ended as First Lieutenant.

His early career included working as a drug rep/detail man for William S. Merrill, a

pharmaceutical company. He later worked as a sales manager for food products at Horlicks

Malted Milk followed by General Mills.

Rod met and fell in love with Barbara Joan Thompson at the University of Wisconsin. They

were married from May 1953 until 1968. They had 3 children, Richard Allen, Diane Elizabeth,

and David William.

Rod decided to change career paths and became a stockbroker. He worked at Piper Jaffray

in Minneapolis and later at the same firm in Fargo, North Dakota. In 1966 Rod moved the

family down south to Dallas to open the first Texas office of Paine Webber. He thrived in the

stockbroker/investment banking industry over the next 30 years, selling municipal bonds to

banks and insurance companies.

On July 12, 1968, Rod married Norma Tvete. They moved to a new development called

Lakeside Village on Lake Ray Hubbard in 1973 where they lived for 47 years. Rod and Norma

loved boating; especially dropping anchor and rafting next to their 36-foot Sea Ray boat.

They loved raising 11 dogs and 6 cats over the years, which usually were rescue animals. They

were passionate travelers, taking trips to Europe, New Zealand/Australia and Argentina. Their

favorite annual trip was to Maui in the winter months to see the migration of 10,000

humpback whales. Norma preceded Rod in death in 2019. They were married for over 51

years.

Of note, Rod became a passionate Dallas Cowboy fan! He was a season ticket holder at the

Cotton Bowl and later in 1971 at the newly opened Texas Stadium in Irving. He would take

one of his 3 children to every game for the next 24 years. He was also passionate/almost

obsessed with the local weather forecast. He would start every new conversation with the

latest detailed weather report. He loved information, watching news programs and of course

watching any football he could get-golf only during off season.

Rod is preceded in death by his parents Victor and Myrtle Carlson, and his sister Marilyn Joan

Nelson. He is survived by his three children, Richard Allen Carlson & wife Denise, Diane

Elizabeth Brumbelow, David William Carlson & wife Sylvia, and his 5 grandchildren, Tyler,

Bryan, Andrew & wife Sandy, Michael, and Lauren. He was a good dad to us kids and we loved

him very much. We will miss him.

A graveside service for Rodney will be held Saturday, March 11, 2023, 2:00 PM, at Hillcrest Mausoleum & Memorial Park, 7405 West Northwest Highway, Dallas, TX, 75225.

Fond memories and expressions of sympathy may be shared at www.Sparkman-Hillcrest.com for the Carlson family.