Sherwood "Woodie" Francis Carlson

Sherwood “Woodie” Francis Carlson, age 85 of rural Hollandale died unexpectedly on Friday, March 12, 2021 at the Upland Hills Hospital in Dodgeville.  He was born at home on May 13, 1935 on the farm on Sandy Hook Road, in the rural Albany area to Carl Peter and Francis Araletta (Atkinson) Carlson.  He grew up on the family farm in rural Albany.  He went to rural school, and then graduated from the Albany High School in 1953.  He farmed with his father.  He was married to Marjorie Lillian Stoll on May 29, 1955 in the Peace Church in Browntown.  He worked at the Wright and Wagner Dairy in Beloit from 1955 to 1958.  He drove truck for a short time for Spike French Livestock Trucking, and then they also farmed for 10 years in the Monroe area until 1968 when they bought the farm in rural Hollandale.  They continued operating that farm, which was eventually taken over by their son Rick and his family.  In the early 1990’s he started truck driving, first for Cleary Buildings, and then for Comdata Transportation out of Madison.  He continued driving for them through their company changes until his retirement in around 2009.  He loved farming and driving tractors, so he continued helping his son Rick for several years.  In his retirement he loved going to the sporting events for his grandchildren, and spending time with his wife enjoying the casino in Dubuque.  He was an avid reader of westerns and watching westerns on TV.  He loved wearing western style clothing, boots and hats.  He also enjoyed tractor pulling in prior years, especially with their Farmall M LP gas tractor. 

Sherwood is survived by his wife, Marge of rural Hollandale; five children, Sherilyn Dietz of Spooner, Rick (Terri) Carlson of Hollandale, Connie (Jack) McGinley of Mount Horeb, Susan (Michael “Spike”) Hendrickson of Hollandale, and Scott (Jane) Carlson of Hollandale; 14 grandchildren, Jesse (Bethany) Nodolf of Ripon, Aaron (Kim) Nodolf of Menomonie Falls, Rachel (Michael) Kelly of Spooner, Kendra (Brandon) Stienke of Cashton, Stacy (Greg) Skemp of Milton, Ashley (Dwight) Anderson of Blue Mounds, Christopher (Jody) McGinley of Plymouth, MN, Kelli (Aaron) Gundlach of Mount Horeb, Kerri McGinley of Austin, TX, Casey (Sydnee) McGinley of Juneau, AK, Molly Hendrickson of Hollandale, Jessica (Jacob) Krause of Madison, Jarrett Carlson of Hollandale, and Justin Carlson of Hollandale; 23 great grandchildren and two more on the way; 2 nieces and a nephew.  He was preceded in death by his parents; and his only brother, Jordan Carlson.

A visitation for Sherwood will be held on Tuesday, March 16, 2021 from 11:00 AM until 1:30 PM at Blanchard Hall, 204 South Main Street in Blanchardville.  A private funeral service will follow at 2:00 PM at Blanchard Hall.  The service will be livestreamed, and will be available at:

https://www.facebook.com/saetherfuneralservice

Burial will be in the Long Valley Cemetery in rural Hollandale.  Saether Funeral Service of Blanchardville is assisting the family.  Online memories and condolences can be shared with the family at www.saetherfuneralservice.com

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