Bert Edmund Carlson Sr.

Bert was an easy-going gentleman and he enjoyed living a long life. Growing up, his family moved from Montana to British Columbia, Canada, to Chicago and then to Washington state. They lived in Snohomish for a time and Bert graduated from Snohomish High School before the family moved to Everett. Bert’s family was a musical one and in Everett he and his two brothers formed the ABC Rhythm Masters band. Bert played the violin, Arthur played guitar and Karl the accordion. In 1940, the family moved to Alaska.

Bert met his wife, Gladys, on a trip to Seattle in 1941 with his friend, Carl (Gladys’ brother), who introduced them, and they were married on July 10, 1942. He joined the Army a month later, was stationed in Texas and trained as a Radio Operator. World War II brought him to the Aleutian Islands where one of his duties was instructing soldiers how to use a mortar. After the war, Bert made his career in the painting trades working for the University of Washington and later for Clise Properties, Inc. He had an especially good eye for mixing and matching colors before the use of computers.

Bert and Gladys raised their family in Seattle, 72 years in the same Columbia City home, a home that brought the family together for holidays and special occasions year after year. Bert took his family on summer camping trips, including a trip to Fairbanks, Alaska to celebrate his father’s birthday with family there. He enjoyed Scandinavian dancing, family trips, and tinkering in his garage. Family always loved to hear him play his violin around the house. When his brothers visited from Alaska, the three would stay up playing music all night long. Bert had fun entertaining the grandchildren (well, everyone!) with his stories, and he never met a candy he didn’t like.

In 1971, Bert, along with his wife and son, opened the International Schooner, a dance night club in Ballard, which they operated until 1982. Bert was the bartender and sometimes sat in with his son’s band playing violin. Bert also occasionally joined his son’s band for a few gigs playing at the Sons of Norway, of which he was a member, or at the Elks Lodge.

Bert was preceded in death by his wife, Gladys Carlson, of 77 years; parents, Carl Johan and Nannie Evelyn Carlson; and brothers and sister-in-law, Arthur (Gloria) and Karl. He is survived by his sister-in-law, Betty; son, Bert; two daughters and son-in-law, Gloria (Borge) and Linda; 12 grandchildren; 17 great-grandchildren; and 7 great-great-grandchildren.

The family wishes to thank Providence Hospice and Bert’s supportive caregivers.

Due to the current pandemic, the immediate family will hold a private graveside service. In lieu of flowers, memorials may be made to your favorite charity.