Brian B. Carlson

MADISON- Brian Carlson, age 80, passed away peacefully, with his family by his side, on Tuesday, May 29, 2018, after a battle with Acute Myeloid Leukemia. Brian was born in Hibbing, Minn., on March 25, 1938, to Arnold and Allegra (Bennett) Carlson.  Growing up in a Coast Guard family, Brian moved frequently. In high school, his family moved to Maryland, where Brian attended high school in Silver Spring.  There he met the love of his life, Barbara, in Latin III class.  After high school, he attended Kenyon College in Ohio for one year and then transferred to UW-Madison where he graduated with a degree in English Literature.  He later earned a Master’s degree in Public Policy and Administration from UW-Madison.  Brian and Barbara were married in Madison on June 25, 1960.  He worked for the State of Wisconsin in the Department of Industry, Labor, and Human Relations his entire career, retiring in 1995. In 1994, Brian was diagnosed with an advanced case of Multiple Myeloma and given a prognosis of 18 – 24 months of life. Thanks to the dedication of the oncologists at UW Hospital, Brian was referred to the National Institutes of Health for an experimental treatment and received an autologous bone marrow transplant.  After many follow-ups and five years of interferon treatments, he was able to stay in remission and turn the 24 months into 24 years. In that time, he saw three of his grandchildren and three great-grandchildren born, five grandchildren graduate high school, four graduate college, and many other fabulous memories with his family.  Brian had many interests and hobbies that he enjoyed throughout his life.  He had a green thumb and maintained a large garden at the family home in Cross Plains.  He enjoyed cooking, camping and canoeing, and watching the Packers, Brewers, and Badgers. He also had a life-long passion for playing duplicate bridge, becoming a Life Master, and he was a member of the Madison Bridge Club.  Brian and Barbara enjoyed travelling and saw many European countries after he recovered from his treatments. Brian is survived by his wife, Barbara; his children, David (Dominique), Sarah (Brian Grittner) and John (Kelly Hauser); seven grandchildren; and three great-grandchildren.  He is also survived by his sisters, Elsa and Judith; his brother, Douglas; and his uncle, Robert and aunt, Bunny.  He was preceded in death by his parents; an infant grandson, Jonah; a nephew; Stanton; nieces, Monika and Alicia; and uncles, Edward and Norman. A funeral service will be held at GUNDERSON EAST FUNERAL AND CREMATION CARE, 5203 Monona Dr., Madison, at 1 p.m. on Saturday, June 2, 2018.  A private burial will take place at Roselawn Memorial Park. Online condolences may be made at www.gundersonfh.com. Gunderson East Funeral & Cremation Care 5203 Monona Dr. (608) 221-5420