Bruce E. Carlson

A Graveside Service for Bruce E. Carlson will be held on Thursday, March 24, 2022, at 11:00 a.m. at the Prairie Home Cemetery in Holdrege, Nebraska and Rev. Russ Anderson officiating. Memorial services will be held Tuesday, March 22, 2022 at 11:00 a.m. at Mulvane United Methodist Church in Mulvane, Kansas.

Bruce Edd Carlson, 73 years so age, of Mulvane, passed away on Thursday, March 17, 2022 at the Kansas Heart Hospital in Wichita, Kansas. He was born on January 22, 1949 to Edd Adolph and Evangeline Ruth (Johnson) Carlson in Winfield, Kansas. Bruce grew up in Winfield and spent his summers with his mother's extended family in Funk, Nebraska. Bruce was a survivor of the Udall, Kansas tornado of 1955. Despite being 6 years old, this experience was just as vivid and harrowing almost 70 years later.

Bruce graduated from Wichita State University with a degree in Business Administration in 1971, after which he worked for the IRS in South Carolina and Georgia. Bruce moved back to Kansas in 1976 and started working for the Social Security Administration, where he continued to work for 40 years. He, along with the help of his father, built a house near Mulvane where he lived with his family until his death.

In 1985, Bruce married Kirsten Kay (Anderson) Carlson. They had two children, Scott Bruce Carlson and Kara Sue Carlson. Family was a fixture of his life. In addition to being a husband and father, he was dedicated to providing his time and energy to support his parents, Uncle Laurence, and sister Renae. Bruce was also a man of strong faith. He was an active member of the Mulvane United Methodist Church for over 35 years, where he formed many relationships and connections to his community.

Bruce was a John Deere enthusiast and had a collectors heart. Throughout his home you would find John Deere tractors, model tractors, classic cars, model trains, and all things baseball. Royals memorabilia adorned his desk, shelves, and office walls.

He lived and breathed baseball, especially for his beloved Royals. He vacationed in Arizona to catch spring training games, introduced his kids to minor league games in Wichita, traveled to Kauffman Stadium, and was guaranteed to catch every Royals game (multiple times if they won). The northwest corner of the backyard was once even repurposed as a backstop with a pitching mound, built for childhood memories of baseball with dad.

Bruce was a supporter and leader in Scouting BSA for decades. Bruce started his Scouting career as a Den Leader for Cub Scout Pack 888 in 1997. From 1999 on he supported Boy Scout Troop 888 in various roles such as Committee Chairman, Scoutmaster, Assistant Scoutmaster, and Treasurer. He was instrumental in guiding his son through his Eagle rank, and continued to support the troop for another 17 years afterwards. During his time he helped plan summer camp trips to several states. He was a member of the Order of the Arrow, served as a Camp Commissioner at Quivira Scout Ranch, and was a strong advocate for Scouting for Food each fall. Bruce was a merit badge counselor for several merit badges required for advancement to the rank of Eagle Scout. He bundled up and braved the bitter cold for 20 winters as he accompanied his troop to Trappers Rendezvous.

Bruce was preceded in death by his parents, and his sister Renae Evangeline (Carlson) McCrory.

He is survived by his wife, Kirsten Carlson; his son, Scott Carlson; his daughter, Kara Carlson; son-in-law, Michael Hauber; and grandson Felix Hauber.

A Memorial has been established in Bruce's honor, and kindly suggested to the Mulvane United Methodist Church, 107 S Central Ave, Mulvane, Kansas 67110.

Expressions of caring and kindness can be sent to the family at www.nelsonbauerfh.com

The Nelson-Bauer Funeral Home in Holdrege is in charge of the arrangements.