Wendell B. Carlson

Wendell Bryon Carlson, 89, of Lac La Belle, Michigan left his loved ones on Tuesday, July 22, 2025, following a brief illness. He was born in Chicago, Illinois on July 1, 1936, son of the late Clarence and Alpha (Gould) Carlson. He moved to Peshtigo, Wisconsin as a young child. He attended Peshtigo Public Schools, graduating with the class of 1954. In 1959, he graduated from Stout State University, Menomonie, Wisconsin with a Bachelor’s degree in Industrial Technology. Wendell taught Industrial Technology (metal shop, foundry, and welding) at the Calumet High School for 32 1/2 years.

Wendell was a “Jack of all Trades” and he loved to teach anyone who was willing to learn. He and his brother, Ken, invented the Table Foiler, which is used to apply copper foil to stained glass pieces before soldering. Making and selling the Table Foiler turned into a business that he initially ran with Ken, and for the past 17 years with his son, Bryon.

He was a past Commander of the Coast Guard Auxiliary, a member of the Lac La Belle Volunteer Fire Department, and was Fire Chief for several years. On November 18, 1961, he married Audrey Koskiniemi at Bethlehem Lutheran Church in Calumet, Michigan. They were married for 56 years until Audrey’s death in 2018. As a couple, Wendell and Audrey sailed over 35,000 miles on the Great Lakes on their sailboat, the Dawn Treader. Their children, Tracy and Bryon, accompanied them the first few years of sailing. After Audrey’s death, Wendell spent his winters in Arizona with his daughter Tracy and family. He loved puttering in the shop, helping with projects, and driving the tractor.

Wendell is survived by his daughter, Tracy (Daniel) Farrand; son, Bryon (Mila) Carlson; grandchildren, Alexandra Farrand, Kristoffer Carlson, and Vanessa (Justyn) Husemann; and special friend, Judith Mitrovich. He was preceded in death by his wife, Audrey; parents; brother, Kenneth Carlson; and sister, Diane Bremer.

A celebration of life will be held at a later date. Online condolences may be expressed at www.petersonkraemer.com.