My Hero Lives On

My grandfather, William Carlson, went to be with Jesus last Saturday. He had a long and fulfilling life of 97 years...but that didn't make it any easier for his family to say goodbye. I had the great privilege to speak at his funeral two days ago and below is the text.

My worldview has been shaped and molded by many people and experiences, but the greatest influence in my life, by far, has come from my grandfather...my hero. Here are some captivating influences my grandpa had on my life:

1) Civic Pride

He had a great sense of ownership and pride of Mankato. All things Mankato were a twinkle in his eye - The Train Depot, Commercial College, Minneopa State Park, Happy Chef, Carlson Craft and on and on...

2) Philanthropic Activities

Charitable giving and volunteering was deeply weaved into the fabric of his very being. He chose charities that he identified with such as his church, First Christian, Courage Center and Mankato Area United Way.

3) Travel

Trains, planes, automobiles, ferries, ships, gondolas, stagecoach, whatever available means possible to get him and his travel companions to where they needed to go. From Europe to Africa, The Black Hills and The North Shore he loved to explore! The journey was just as important as the destination. But, of course, after every adventure the post trip slideshow was the main event!

4) Trains

From model trains to real trains he was a lover of all things railroad. During our trip in Alaska I remember him standing on the platform of the rear most car (to his chagrin there was no caboose) holding a tape recorder capturing the racket of wind and a loud train. But to him it was a methodic tick-a-tack-a-tick-a-tack that swept him away and brought immense joy to his life. Many times he would simply book a trip within a trip to get in that coveted train ride headed towards a not so important destination.

5) Jesus Christ as Savior and Lord

He had a profound, yet simple, relationship with Jesus Christ. Attending church, praying before meals, devotional time and The Lord's Prayer before bedtime on trips where all Christ honoring attributes. And he told me many times he wished to serve in the ministry but didn't possess the gifts to be a pastor. So he equipped others who had that vocational calling. Grandpa was a huge supporter of my dad and his calling to full time ministry.

6) Business

Successful entrepreneurs are driven, intuitive, devoted, compelled, opportunistic, visionary, passionate and team oriented. These qualities, along with the Fruits of the Spirit from Galatians 5:22, Love, Joy, Peace, Longsuffering, Kindness, Goodness, Faithfulness, Gentleness, and Self-Control, were all possessed by my grandfather.

He told me many times the story of how he wanted to become a baker...but quickly realized getting up at 3am every morning to start the bread was not such a good idea! However, he always had the caveat..."I respect those who do it though. That's hard work!" He had numerous other professions that he "tried on" to see if they fit his gift set and talents.

None, however, quite fit like the letter business. He started selling greeting cards during the War when he was stationed in Kodiak, Alaska. That, coupled with his stellar typing skills, planted the seed for Carlson Craft. In the basement of his home in 1948 he, at age 33, and my grandma, at age 27, embarked on a worldwide letter and wedding invitation business, which is now part of the uber successful Taylor Corporation still based here in Mankato. He would tell me from time to time that: "He always enjoyed his job and looked forward to going into the office every day." Work was important to him...but enjoying it was even more important!

His steadfast entrepreneurial spirit was contagious! During our summer trips, Andy and I would conceive master plans for our future business ventures together. Our grandest idea was to create a store that could be a one-stop-shop with clothes, games, groceries, camping gear, etc. It was the perfect business opportunity! It was, until Fleet Farm, Wal-Mart and Super Target reigned on our capitalistic spirit!

In more recent years, I asked my grandpa many times, including last Tuesday, whether I should follow in his footsteps and start my own business. His response to my quest for autonomy was always a measured one. "Stay at Mortenson Construction" he would say, "because it is a good family owned company that has taken good care of you and your family."

7) Pie

French silk, banana cream and sour cream raisin were his favorite pies. But he didn't discriminate and was inclusive of desserts from all walks of life. Cookies, torts, bars, ice cream. All were created equal in his mind. I think he would agree and may have even said "There's not a dessert I've met that I haven't liked!"

8) Games

Croquet, Rummiqub, Kings in the Corner, and Uno were some favorites, but Zioncheck was his signature game when gathering with family or friends. After a long day of travel and sightseeing we would always gather in the hotel room and play a game or two before bed.

9) Planning & List making

Whether it was a detailed list of Christmas presents for his kids, grandkids and great-grandkids or an itinerary for one of his trips...he was a planner! These itineraries wouldn't be a simple; 1. Travel to Colorado. 2. See Rocky Mountains. 3. Travel Home. No no...he would include a daily schedule with time slots for sightseeing, lunch, driving, coffee breaks and even naps. And he would list the hotel he was staying at each night with the phone number and reservation information. Detailed? Of course!

10) Family

I strongly believe that family was my grandfather's #1 reason for loving life. The family can all remember growing up... gathering for Easter, Christmas and everything in between; Grandpa traveling...an extra 100 miles in the opposite direction of our destination just to visit Beatrice, Clyde, Bob, or Alice who were all related to grandpa, hanging on to some outgrown limb on his family tree. And then there was his, what some would consider strange, decision to retire early and sell his business. Not strange in his eyes as he wanted to spend as much time with his wife, kids, grandkids and great-grandkids as he possibly could. He was able to spend 38 years in retirement traveling and spending time with his family. He used to tell me many times that "People have figured out how to manufacture goods, services and even money. But the one thing no one has ever figured out how to manufacture is time." He said this was the reason he retired early to spend time with his wife and family. Family was his lifeblood.

Over the past couple weeks I had the incredible opportunity and privilege to spend intimate alone time with my grandpa. We talked about many things. As it was difficult for him to speak I did most of the talking but one of the questions he asked me was what my hobbies were. I would tell him that my job and raising Brianna and Carl take a lot of time, but I enjoy being outside hiking, biking and gardening. I would come back the next time and he would, again, ask what my hobbies are...what I do for recreation. I would tell him what my hobbies are, but also that he has shaped my life in a way that no other has; That I hope to accomplish half of what he did and to be a man of integrity; That he is my hero.

As the conversations weaved back towards hobbies, it was important for him to impress upon me how meaningful hobbies and recreation are in one's life. Even up to his last days here on earth he was teaching me lessons and providing profound insight to my worldview. I assure you, his wisdom and legacy live on, not only in my life, but in yours as well. Today my hero lives on.