Carl Louis Solberg

Solberg, Carl LouisMADISON- The Solberg family is sad to announce the loss of their husband, father, grandfather, brother and uncle; the extended family\'s alpha male. Carl Louis Solberg passed away on Friday, July 31, 2009 at the age of 89 due to complications of COPD. He was born on Sept. 6, 1919 in Black Earth, the first son of Ole and Ida Solberg, Norwegian immigrants. Carl was a veteran of WWII, having seen action in the Pacific Theatre at Dutch Harbor, Alaska. He was a member at Bethel Lutheran Church. Carl spent most of his adult life in Madison, he was a carpenter and foreman, building or overseeing the construction of some of Madison\'s notable buildings. Carl was born with leadership abilities, he had an avid intellect, unbridled energy, an inventive bent, built his own home (twice), was confident in his decisions, strived for perfection, led by example and punctuated it all with sharp wit and humor. Yet at the same time, he was a simple and modest man in many ways. He had high morals, a Calvinist doctrine on thrift, allowed little room for error and was self-made, coming from very modest means with little formal education and never expected anything which he himself could not provide. He was a real man who fuelled his life with every ounce he had. He will be sorely missed by his family, friends and acquaintances. Carl is survived by his wife, Gladys, 90; two sons, Ronald and Richard (Mary); three grandchildren, Lauren, Eric and Jeffrey; one younger brother, Howard; and numerous nieces, nephews, grand nieces and nephews and other relatives. Funeral services will be held at GUNDERSON EAST FUNERAL HOME, 5203 Monona Drive, Madison, on Tuesday, Aug. 4, 2009, at noon with Pastor Swanson presiding. Visitation will be held at the funeral home on Tuesday from 10 a.m. until the time of the service. Flowers sent to the Funeral Home or a donation to Juvenile Diabetes Research Foundation (JDRF) in Carl\'s memory would be appreciated. The family would like to give special thanks to a long list of care givers too numerous to mention who gave their time generously, allowing Carl and Gladys to remain at home for a number of years, and who could not help but befriend a cantankerous old man with a heart of gold and his gentle wife. Memorials: Flowers sent to the Funeral Home or a donation to Juvenile Diabetes Research Foundation (JDRF) in Carl\'s memory would be appreciated. Visitation: Visitation will be held at the funeral home on Tuesday from 10 a.m. until the time of the service. Service: Funeral services will be held at GUNDERSON EAST FUNERAL HOME, 5203 Monona Drive, Madison, on Tuesday, Aug. 4, 2009, at noon with Pastor Swanson presiding.