Carl Wicklund

McALLEN, Texas — Carl B. Wicklund, 86, passed away to his guardian angels on April 27, 2008, at the Veterans Hospital in McAllen.

He was born in Norway, on Sept. 5, 1921, and lived in Norway until the iron mines closed, relocating to Eveleth, Minn., with his parents.

Carl served in World War II with the 450th Bombardment Group (H), 47th Wing, 721st Squadron, 15th United States Army Air Force, as a nose gunner and bombardier flying 50 missions over Europe in B-24 Liberator bombers stationed in Manduria, Italy. Several missions were over the Ploesti Oil Fields of Romania, heavily protected by the German Luftwaffe and anti-aircraft batteries. After VE day, he trained in Seattle in Bombardier School for the B-29 Super Fortress. The war ended before his training was completed. (Visit www.450thbg.com)

Carl had a master’s degree in industrial education, taught school and later worked in sales most of his life. He demonstrated, here in Iron Mountain, in the 1950s the Montgomery Ward Shop Smith, a versatile woodworking machine to an audience of 200 some men and women. Eventually, he became the national sales manager for the Shop Smith. He retired as president of Permex Mausoleums in St Louis, Mo.

Carl was a natural at making friends and had a born knack of teaching and telling interesting events and stories. People immediately became attached to Carl. He will be sadly missed by his family and friends.

Survived by his wonderful family, a son, James (Mary) Wicklund of Alton, Ill.; two daughters, Christine (Matthew) Milburn of Florissant, Mo. and Lynn Kuchinski (husband, Robert Childs) of Albuquerque, N.M.; a stepdaughter, Dawn Fitch of Waconia, Minn.; two grandchildren and two great-grand-children. He remained close to his cousins throughout his life, John, David, Edwin and Robert Wicklund, Bette Armstrong and Mary Anne Belleville.

He was proceeded in death by his beloved wife, Vivian; a son, David; and his parents, Albert Carl Wicklund and Hannah (Bjork) Wicklund

A graveside service will be held at the Norway Cemetery on Saturday, May 17, at 1 p.m. A eulogy will be recited by his son-in-law, Matt Milburn.

Please make contributions to your local veterans organization in his name.