After 84 wonderful years filled with love of family and friends, Carolyn Carlson departed this life on Monday, November 17, 2025.

When asked what she was most proud of in her life, Carolyn would say being a mother to her three children, Laura, Gail and Andy. She was loving, selfless, fiercely devoted and full of fun. She supported her kids in their play, learning, sports, and lots of school band concerts for which she always said she earned stars in her crown. She took them on many trips to Florida to visit her parents and to Disney World. When her son was diagnosed with leukemia, she was his rock throughout his diagnosis and treatments. Andy believes she was truly his savior.

Carolyn married the love of her life, Sara Roberts, on November 15, 2014, after 37 years together. They shared their lives, raised their children together, including Sara’s daughters, Ann and Lynn, and traveled to beautiful places, including her beloved Hawaii. Carolyn also loved her trips with Sara to lakes in northern Wisconsin.

Carolyn was a wonderful grandmother. She traveled frequently to visit her grandchildren all over the U.S. She taught them to play cards and enjoyed endless games of Gin Rummy and King’s Corners. She loved reading to them, introduced them to her favorite old movies, and supported them in all their activities. She was so proud of her children and grandchildren and often spoke lovingly of them to others.

Carolyn lived her entire life in Madison, Wis. She was the daughter of Dr. Donald M. Britton and Louise Britton. She attended West High School, graduating in the class of 1959. In her younger years, she was an avid golfer, tennis player and bowler. She loved watching Badgers sports, especially football, basketball and hockey, and she had great times attending bowl games. Throughout her life, Carolyn loved playing card games and board games with others. She had quite a sweet tooth, especially for ice cream, turtle sundaes, donuts and anything chocolate.

Carolyn was loved by so many. She was vivacious, enjoyed socializing, and had a great laugh and sense of humor. Carolyn was always there for others, and she was proud of her 35 years volunteering as a baby cuddler in the NICU at Meriter Hospital. Besides her family and long-time friends, she was beloved by the congregation at Orchard Ridge United Church of Christ, her coworkers at Dane County Human Services, and more recently, her dear friends at Oakwood Village University Woods. Her cat, Gus, brought her so much joy.

Carolyn is survived by her wife, Sara; her children, Laura Maynard, Gail Carlson, Andy Carlson, Ann Cary and Lynn Sedivy; her sons-in-law and daughter-in-law, Philip Nyhus, Lisa Carlson and Michal Sedivy; and her grandchildren, Louisa and Soren Nyhus, Ethan Carlson, Nicole and Donovan Maynard, Anna and Oliver Sedivy, and Evan and Clover Cary. She is also survived by her nieces, Suzanne Rasmussen and Diana Hudson. She was predeceased by her parents; her sister, Bea Eckert; and her son-in-law, David Maynard.

In lieu of flowers, memorial gifts may be made to Orchard Ridge United Church of Christ and Blood Cancer United (Leukemia and Lymphoma Society).

We will gather to remember Carolyn at ORCHARD RIDGE UNITED CHURCH OF CHRIST, 1501 Gilbert Road, Madison, on Saturday, December 6, 2025, with a visitation at 10 a.m., a celebration of life at 11 a.m., and a luncheon to follow.

Online condolences may be made at www.gundersonfh.com.

Gunderson West

Funeral & Cremation Care

7435 University Ave.

(608) 831-6761

Carolyn B Carlson

April 16, 1941 - November 17, 2025

Share photos of Carolyn