Harold Carlstrom (Bolivar)'s Obituary
Harold Emil Carlstrom Jr., 84, left this world and entered Heaven on April 4, 2016. He passed away peacefully at Kansas City Hospice House after a brief illness.
Harold entered this world on January 7th 1932, the son of Harold and Mary Frances Carlstrom of Hermitage, Mo. He found the Lord at age nine, and stayed by His side until the end.
Harold joked that it was fortunate he found the Lord when he did, because he didn’t have a very good start. At age five he and the other cub scouts accidentally burned down the scoutmaster’s barn while secretly rolling and smoking cigarettes in the hay loft!
During his teenage years, he made the mistake of slipping and falling on the ice in front of a classmate and was nicknamed “Slick” Carlstrom. The name followed him all his adult life and for most nieces and nephews “Uncle Slicky” is the only name he is known by.
Harold graduated from Hermitage High School where he met his true love and life-long companion, Mona Craddick. After his graduation in 1949, Harold headed for Kansas City to find a job, so he and Mona could be married when Mona graduated. He worked briefly at Montgomery Ward’s, all the while hoping to land a job at Proctor and Gamble. In 1950 he landed that coveted job and the next year in July of 1951 married Mona in Wheatland Missouri, on their way to their first home in Kansas City.
Harold was drafted into the United States Army in 1952, during the Korean War. He was able to start in the Army “a step ahead” because his big brother Charlie after his return from basic training had taught Harold how to march. Harold spent most of 1953 and 1954 in Korea. Mona and he exchanged many letters and photos during this time. His first daughter was born while he was away in July of 1953. Word arrived to him in Korea by telegram. He sent a picture home of a beaming new proud Papa.
After the war was over, Harold resumed his job at Proctor and Gamble, and Mona and he resumed their life in Kansas City. They had a second daughter in 1957, moved to the suburbs (now referred to as mid-town) and joined Santa Fe Hills Baptist Church where Harold became a deacon.
After 37 years of working, Harold retired in 1987. He enjoyed a lengthy retirement in which he and Mona traveled and babysat (spoiled) their only grandchild and then, later, welcomed their great-grandchildren into the world. Mona and he were about to celebrate their 65th wedding anniversary, when the Lord called him home.
Harold is survived by his wife, Mona, of the home; his brother, Charles Carlstrom, of Springfield, MO; his daughters, Patti Carlstrom, of Kansas City, and Vicki Carr and husband David of Belton MO; his grandchild, Crystal Smith and husband Barry, and his great-grandsons Calvin James and Brant Carrson Smith, of Ramsey, MN; and many beloved nieces and nephews.
A memorial service will be held at Colonial Presbyterian Church at 95th and Wornall Road, Kansas City, MO, in the Dalbey Chapel, at 2:00 pm Saturday, April 9th (enter through the Office doors) The Chapel is not wheelchair accessible.
A second service will be held at Butler Funeral Home in Bolivar, Mo. At 2:00 pm on Saturday, April 16th.
The family requests donations to the Kansas City Hospice House, 12000 Wornall Road KCMO 64145 in lieu of flowers.
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