Wesley LaDell "Wes" Karlson

BURLEY – Wesley LaDell “Wes” Karlson, age 85, of Burley, passed away on Tuesday, Feb. 7, 2012, at the Cassia Regional Medical Center.

He was born on April 12, 1926, at his Grandma Edmondson’s home in Burley, Idaho. He married Betty Jean Goold on Aug. 8, 1948, in Elko, Nevada. Together, they raised three children, Kristine, Kerry, and Kendell.

After attending Burley schools, Wes pursued his education in Logan, Utah, in mechanical drafting and Allison Aircraft Engine repair. While there, he received several welding certificates upon his graduation. Afterward, Wes went to work at Hill Air Force Base making drawings for special tools and parts for airplanes, but disliked being indoors which resulted in his enlistment in the U.S. Navy. Wes was a veteran of World War II having served as a CB in the Navy for three and one-half years in the South Pacific; where he spent most of this time welding in the pontoon assembly detachment along with patching “P T boats” and building additional pontoons for COSWAY’s to be used for future landings for the troops and equipment. This position resulted because of his welding certifications. After his return from the military, he worked for Burley Processing and for Wally Carrier Machine Shop. On his 25th birthday, April 12, 1951, Wes pursued his own business venture of 44 years as a successful community businessman and owner of Wes’s Welding and Iron Works on Overland Avenue in Burley. He had many opportunities to travel many places, building and installing food processing machinery for the JR Simplot Company, as well as others.

He loved the game of golf and was always looking for someone to play a round of golf with. He and Betty spent 28 winters in Rancho Mirage, California, so they could play golf year round. They met many wonderful people and played with and watched some of the world’s best golfers. Wes lived his life working and golfing. From dawn till dusk, golf was a passion of his.

He was a volunteer firefighter for the City of Burley for a number of years. His participation in the community was evident as a member of the Burley Lions Club for 50-plus years and a lifetime member of the BPOE Burley Elk’s Lodge. Additionally, Wes served as president of the Burley Men’s Golf Association.

Wes was considered to all as a kind, gentle, and generous husband, father, grandpa, and great-grandfather, as well as a good friend to many.

He is survived by his wife of 63 years, Betty Jean Goold Karlson of Burley; one daughter, Kristine Whittaker of Henefer, Utah; two sons, Kerry Wesley Karlson (Vendla) of Kennewick, Washington, and Kendell Keith Karlson (Cindy) of Burley; and an adoptive daughter (an Australian exchange student of 1966) Judy Taylor Fronk (Steve) and her six children of Sutter Creek, California. He is also survived by 16 grandchildren and 34 great-grandchildren.

He was preceded in death by his parents, Leo Ronald Karlson and Ivy Margaret Edmondson Karlson; his brothers, Ronald and Eddie; and granddaughters, Jennie and Tammy Whittaker.

The funeral will be held at 2 p.m. Saturday, Feb. 11, at the Burley LDS 2nd and 4th Ward Church, 515 East 16th St., in Burley. Military rites will be provided by the Mini-Cassia Veterans Organization. Burial will follow at the View Cemetery southeast of Burley.

Friends may call from 7 until 9 p.m. Friday, Feb. 10, at the Rasmussen Funeral Home, 1350 E. 16th St., in Burley, and from 1:00 to 1:45 p.m. Saturday at the church.