Vivian Ruth Carlson of Boulder, CO, passed away on May 4, 2024, at the age of 96.
Vivian was born in a coal mining camp at the Grant Mine in Frederick, Colorado, to Emery and Georgia Hodgson. She was the third born of four daughters and spent much of her early years living between the mining camps, Denver, and Louisville. In her teens, Vivian settled with her father in Boulder and attended Boulder schools until graduating from Boulder High School in 1945. That same year, she met Carroll Carlson upon his return from the European theater of World War II. Their love blossomed very quickly, and they married on January 5, 1946. Shortly thereafter, the newlyweds moved to Cheyenne and opened a restaurant, a short-lived but memorable venture.
Perhaps it was the Cheyenne wind or Vivian's pregnancy - or both that brought them back to Boulder, which remained their home for the rest of their lives.
Vivian loved being a homemaker - she took in laundry and ironing in the early years, was an amazing baker of pies, cookies and memorable birthday cakes, and loved growing beautiful roses in her backyard. She and Carroll built their first and only home on Baseline Road in 1949, where they raised their children and she lived for 72 years.
She was active in the electoral process and spent many years as an election judge in Boulder County. Vivian and Carroll were founding members of Mount Calvary Lutheran Church, where Vivian remained continuously active and supported baptisms well into her 80s. She spent many years on the board of the Vintage Panthers (now Boulder High School Alumni Association), serving as board chair as well as chair of the Scholarship Fund and was very proud of her Panthers, who have now awarded two scholarships each year for the past 33 years. Vivian was an outspoken and intelligent woman, a gritty coal miner's daughter who survived cancer twice, spoiled her dogs, and was truly the softest place for any grandchild to land. She was an avid sports fan, dedicated to her beloved Panthers, Buffs and Broncos, and attended the CU Football and Women's Basketball games with Carroll until they were unable. She cheered for the Buffs right up until her last month of life.
Vivian is survived by her son, Dave (and Janay) of Westminster; grandchildren Chris Freiberger of Walsh, CO; John (and Heidi) Freiberger of Two Buttes, CO; Jerry (and Lisa) Freiberger of Vilas, CO; Emily (and Tom) Wiseman, serving in Vilseck, Bavaria; and Drew Carlson of Westminster; great grandchildren Shelby (and Casey) Painter, Vanda (and Ben) Guiterrez, Kassidy Freiberger, Mikayla (and Derek) Oxley, Jacob, Hoyt, Easton, and Aspen Freiberger, and Jentry Freiberger; seven great-great grandchildren (Aleah, Colter, Ryder, Bryson, Paisyn, Oliver, and Autumn); and her brother-in-law, Bill Alsdorf (Brighton). As the last surviving sister, Vivian was very close to many nieces and nephews who called her "Aunt Viv." They were a blessing to her.
Vivian was preceded in death by her husband Carroll (1999), son Dennis (1946), daughter Vanda Freiberger (1990), and sisters Wanda Bigelow (Vancouver, WA), Louise Coon (Denver), and Joyce Alsdorf (Brighton).
A memorial service will be held on Saturday, May 18, 2024, 11:00 AM at Westview Church, 6710 Arapahoe Road in Boulder, with the Reverend Marty Lettow presiding. In lieu of flowers, please consider making a donation to Vivian's favorite cause, the Vintage Panthers Scholarship Fund, c/o Don Hovde, 11495 W 72nd Place, Arvada, CO, 80005.
Countless friends and family will sorely miss Vivian. She was the epitome of a hardworking, God-fearing woman who dedicated her life to better things for her children, her grandchildren, her friends, and her community. She was of the original working bedrock of Boulder, and her impact will be long felt.