Keith Jesse Carlson, 24, of Helena, tragically left us due to an industrial accident on May 10, 2011.
Keith was born on October 6, 1986 to Carol L. Stone Carlson and Carl J. Carlson in Helena.
Keith was a proud graduate of Mr. Wolf’s kindergarten class at Central Elementary School. He attended Helena Middle School and Helena High School, and then went on to receive a Certificate of Applied Science from UM – Helena, College of Technology. After college, Keith worked as a Metal Trades Certified Welder and a metal/woodwork artist for Montana Sign Co. and then YESCO (Young Electric Sign Co.).
A multifaceted individual and close to his God, Keith was and is truly a part of his Montana outdoors. He loved to take trips to spend time with his family and maternal grandparents at the Anaconda Stone Farm. He also loved to visit the ocean on the west coast. He was very proud of his inventor ancestors and all those who pioneered to America from Sweden, Germany, England and France. His artistic endeavors left us many of his treasured metal, woodworks, and linear cartoon drawings. He loved the solitude of the mountains, where he wheeled and jumped his mountain bike and spent time with his close friends making amateur films through the woods and the valleys. He also loved the joy and contentment of fishing Montana’s lakes and streams, especially the Little Blackfoot, where he caught his very first trout on one of Grandpa’s original flies near the old Grazier Ranch Bridge.
Fond memories were made with his family and friends. A much favored time was camping out on the sidewalk with his best friends at the Gaslight Theater to be the first of viewers when “The Lord of the Rings” came to Helena among others.
Keith was baptized in the Methodist Faith and enjoyed his many trips to Flathead Church Camp. He was also a proud Boy Scout Club member and Spanish Language Club participant, along with mountain biking and Governor’s Cup events.
Keith is survived by his parents, Carol Stone Carlson and Carl J. Carlson; brother, Matt Schutty; sisters, Kari Schutty, Pam Schutty, and twin sister, Cassandra Carlson; paternal grandmother, Lillian “Tommie” Carlson; sister-in-law, Nancy Clewett; nephew, Eddie Howard; the love of his life, Alica M. Davis; as well as numerous aunts, uncles, great-aunts, great-uncles, cousins, and many, many friends. Keith will also be greatly missed by the family dog, Border Collie, “Oreo.”
He was preceded in death by his maternal grandparents, Harold and Katherine Stone; paternal grandfather, Ole Carlson; and his beloved childhood Jack Russell Terrier, “Tennie.”
A memorial service will be 2:00 p.m. Thursday, May 19 at Anderson Stevenson Wilke Funeral Home. Donations in Keith’s name are suggested to UM – Helena, College of Technology, “The Keith Jesse Carlson Memorial Scholarship Fund,” 1115 N. Roberts, Helena, MT 59601. Condolences may be sent to the family by visiting: www.aswfuneralhome.com.
Brandi Gregg says
I am so sorry for your loss. Keith was such a great guy and he will be sorely missed by all who knew him. May god bless you all and may Keith rest in peace.
Eric Stimson and JoAnn Hanson says
Dear Carl and Carol, We were so sorry to hear about the death of your son, Keith. Our hearts and sorrowful thoughts go out to both of you and your family at this painful time.
Please accept our heartfelt condolences.
Eric and JoAnn
Fred and Linda McDermott says
Keith certainly deserved the loving and well written obituary I just read in the IR, which included his surviving family. What a great young man – God’s gain I’m sure. Carl and Carol…Fred and I are so sorry for your loss. Please know you are in our prayers and thoughts. I think of you both often.
Love from cousin Linda – and Fred
Jeanne and Mike Kohal says
Carl and Carol, our hearts go out to you in this sorrowful time and our prayers are with you..God Bless
Jennifer (Hess)Bratcher says
Kari,Pam and Mathew- I am send my deepest sympathy to you, your sister and your family. You may not remember me but you used to live next door to my aunt in Anaconda and my mom and your mom were once good friends. Me and my sister Melissa used to play at your house. I recognized your names in the paper and was so sad to hear of your loss. May God give you strength through this difficult time.
John and Debbie Kelly Cheek says
Carol,
Our thoughts and prayers are with you during this most difficult time. May your precious son rest in the love and peace of Christ’s kingdom. We will have mass said for him on Wednesday, May 18th. We always expect to bury our parents, but never our children. We cannot imagine your heartache, we are so very sorry. God bless and be with you and your family. The Anaconda High School Class of 1966 has you in our prayers.
Joyce Hess says
Carol,Carl and family, I don’t know what to say except I am so very sorry for your loss. I never had the pleasure of meeting Keith but heard many stories about him and Cassandra when they were little. I did know Kari,Pam and Matt when they were younger and if Keith was anything like them he was a wonderful person. Carol as an old friend if there is anything I can do for you or you need someone to talk to, please contact me at the same address and number as years ago, I would love to hear from a very good friend again. Again my thoughts and prayers are with you and your family.
Joyce
Linda Stevenson says
Carol and Carl and Cassie,
My memory of Keith is the darling little toddler who really lit up a room with his smile, holding his sister’s hand, and peering out from behind Carol’s legs when she would bring the twins to the office to see Carl. So sweet!!
My heart breaks for you and your family. I offer this prayer to you:
May your sorrow be lifted by Great Eagle Wings
and carried to that Faraway Place
where sorrow is changed to Joy.
And may that Joy return to you on the wings of a Snow White Dove,
Fluttering softly, whispering sweetly, Endless Love, Endless Love.
Toni says
I am so very sorry for your loss. I didn’t know Keith, but he sounds like a great person. The bible can bring you comfort at this difficult time. We are promised at Isaiah 25:8 that God will swallow up death forever and wipe tears from all faces. Also, John 5:28,29 says that there will be a resurrection. If you would like to know more about these promises, please e-mail me back.
Roberta McCallum Swanson says
So sorry.. I know it has been a long time now but your memories never fade.
Kathleen Callahan says
Hi Carol, this is Kathleen Callahan I was a classmate of Keith 19 years ago at Helena high. I was at the funeral and wanted to let you know that I will be thinking about you tomorrow since his anniversary of his death is tomorrow