OSAGE CITY — Robert Lee “Butch” Carlson Jr., Osage City, died of a broken heart, Tuesday, Nov. 2, 2021, at his home, surrounded by family and friends. He was 70.
He was born Aug. 13, 1951, in Osage City, the son of Robert Lee and Wilma (Hasty) Carlson Sr. He graduated from Osage City High School in 1969.
One of the biggest questions of his life was where he got the nickname “Butch.” The answer to this trivia question is that his mom, Wilma, saw a cartoon of a little boy wearing overalls (just like Butch) that reminded her of Butch’s mannerisms and personality.
Butch was joined in marriage to Julie Hafenstein Dec. 11, 1976, in Osage City. To this union two children were born, Shawn and Conrad.
Butch was a lifelong resident of Osage City. He worked at Del Monte Foods as an awesome forklift operator for 15 years, then at Doric Concrete Vaults with his buddy Dale Keezer, and finally Mussatto Brothers Budweiser. He also assisted his brother-in-law, David “Haffy” Hafenstein, and his company DL Hafenstein Construction doing various tedious carpentry jobs throughout the years. This says a lot about Butch’s personality, as it takes a lot of patience to work with Haffy.
His passions included playing both men’s and co-rec softball well in to his 40s. If anyone watched Butch play softball and run the bases, you knew his real personality – aggressive and competitive. He also was passionate about watching the Royals, Wildcats and Chiefs, in that order. Above all, he was the biggest fan of his sons and grandsons, and attending their events was the highlight of his week. Butch and Julie never missed a game or program, and have adopted several of their grandsons’ buddies as surrogate grandchildren.
Butch was preceded in death by his parents. And on Aug. 1, 2002, his heart was broken in two as he lost his youngest son, Conrad.
He will be forever remembered by his wife, Julie, of the home; a son, Shawn Carlson (Haley), St. George; two sisters, Stella Dorr and Bernadine Faulkner (Phil), Osage City; three brothers, Larry Carlson and Danny Carlson (Betty), both of Topeka, and Alan Carlson (Patty), Osage City; and his pride and joy, his two grandsons, Karter Lee and Konrad Gavin.
Graveside services will be 10 a.m. Saturday, Nov. 6, at the Osage City Cemetery.
Memorial contributions may be made to the Conrad Carlson Charitable Foundation and sent in care of VanArsdale Funeral Chapel, 107 N. Sixth, Osage City, KS 66523.
Condolences may be expressed at VanarsdaleFS.com.
