Carl W. Brodin's Obituary
Carl Wilbur Brodin 7/31/14 to 1/21/08 Carl Brodin, local artist, passed away in his sleep in the early morning hours of January 21st. He was 93. Carl, one of four children born to Carl Brodin Sr. and Mable (Kenning) on July 31, 1914. He grew up in Minneapolis, Minnesota and married his wife of 55 years, Rachel Cross. During World War II, Carl fought in the Pacific as a member of the Seabees. After the war, he moved to Chehalis, where he got a job with the State Highway Department in Olympia and, soon after, created his own landscaping company. In the early 60's he returned to school, graduating with a teaching degree from Central Washington University. After accepting a teaching job at Clover Park High School he taught for 20 years, imparting lessons in fine arts, industrial arts, and technical drawing to hundreds of students. Even after he retired, he continued teaching to all who wanted to learn, from residents in nursing homes to inmates on McNeil Island. Carl was a member of the Tacoma Elks Club, a life-member of the Veterans of Foreign Wars Post #969, and will be fondly remembered for traveling all over the Pacific Northwest and Europe singing with the Normana Choir. Best known for his sculpting, water colors, and quick wit, Carl was a fixture in the Tacoma arts community and will be missed. Carl is survived by his sister Betty Roth of Minnesota and dozens of nieces, nephews, grand nieces and grand nephews. He was preceded in death by his wife Rae and sisters Margaret Sherman and Carol Baker. There will be a memorial service in the Garden Chapel at Mountain View Funeral home, Saturday, Feb. 2nd at 1PM. Contributions can be made to an arts in the schools programs.
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