James (Jim) Andrew Carlson

James “Jim” Carlson, 74 of Balsam Lake, passed away Saturday, November 26th, 2022, at his home surrounded by people who loved him, after fighting cancer for 6 years.  He never complained and was always grateful. Jim was born on December 18, 1947, in Orange County, California.

He grew up on the family farm just outside Taylors Falls, confirmed at First Evangelical Lutheran, and graduated from Taylors Falls High School in 1966.  He enlisted in the U.S. Army and served in Viet Nam.  When he returned, he attended St Paul Vo-Tech for Auto Body.  A man with many talents, he worked in various professions until he started his own business, Fix-A-Dent.

Jim had many interests.  He loved hunting, fishing, boating, coin collecting, owning a race car, house restoration, making maple syrup and kettle corn, listening to 50s music, old western movies, riding his Harley, and his annual trips to Sturgis, proudly riding with Rolling Thunder, the annual Almelund Threshing show, camping with family and friends, wintering with Vicki in Texas and Arizona, desert rides in the Razor and ATF tractor weekends.  He was especially proud of his time serving as Commander at VFW Post 6856.  He was the best storyteller and loved telling them!

Thanks to the VA Medical Center and Interim Hospice for all their care and support.

Jim leaves to celebrate his memory: his wife, Vicki Hart, children, Jeremy (Linda) Carlson, Kimberly (Jamie) Benton, and Tim Hart (KarenSue), grandchildren, Jourdain Kinnander, Kristopher Chinander, Bree Kinnander (Aric), Michael Carlson, and Christopher Carlson, sister, Trudi (Jeffrey) Morse, brother, Jerry (Kate) Carlson, aunts, uncles, nieces, nephews, and other family and many friends.  Jim is preceded in death by, his parents, Evelyn and Loren Carlson, brother, Robert Carlson, nephew, Timothy Carlson, and niece, Cassandra Carlson.

A Celebration of Life and Visitation for Jim will be held on Saturday, December 3, 2022, beginning at 1:00 P.M. with a time of sharing beginning at 2:00 P.M. at the Milltown VFW Post 6856, 1503 200 ^th Avenue, Milltown, Wisconsin.

The Kolstad Family Funeral Home of Centuria has been entrusted with arrangements.