Carl William Solum Jr. 95, of Mason City, Iowa, passed away peacefully surrounded by family on Friday, November 17, 2023 at MercyOne North Iowa Medical Center.
A Funeral Service will be held 11:00 am Saturday December 9, 2023 at Hogan-Bremer-Moore Colonial Chapel, 126 3rd St NE, Mason City, Iowa. The burial ceremony will be held in Memorial Park Cemetery, Mason City, Iowa immediately following the service.
Visitation will begin one hour prior to the funeral service from 10:00 am to 11:00 am at Hogan-Bremer-Moore Colonial Chapel.
Carl was born on January 31, 1928, in North Dakota, the son of Carl and Sarah (Trytten) Solum Sr. In 1944 at the early age of 16, he volunteered and honorably served in the Merchant Marines as part of the United States Coast Guard. During WWII, Carl sailed on the Liberty Ship, W.R. Grace was part of the mission called Murmansk Run, to deliver U.S. supplies to Russia. Known as a Suicide Run, his ship was part of an Allied convoy of ships that made a dangerous cruise through the Arctic waters during frigid weather. Years later, Carl was invited and attended to the Russian Embassy in Washington, DC, to receive the Russian Hero Medal and the Russian War Medal for his efforts in delivering much-needed supplies to the Russian Army, in an effort to help defeat Hitler. He also served two years in the United States Army and was twice the Commander of Mason Cityâs VFW Post 733. Carl took great pride in being a Veteran and being able to defend our Country and loved teaching and discussing politics, a true patriot. Additionally, Mason City High School later awarded Carl an honorary degree.
He spent his work life being a welder for various companies and began his own welding business in 1964, known as Solum Enterprises. Carl was a well-respected and skilled welder, he accomplished numerous tasks being a boilermaker, making missiles and silos, and countless other things. Carl also taught a night welding class at North Iowa Area Community College.
On April 11, 1960, Carl married Joy Mae McDougle and together they created a life they loved spending time with their children, grandchildren, great grandchildren and great-great grandchildren. He and his sons enjoyed racing cars at the local stock car track. He taught his children the art of welding as well as how to work on cars and drive race cars. Carl created art, loved music, played guitar, would sing, and loved to dance. He had a passion for learning and was always reading. Lastly, he loved to cook and his specialty in the kitchen was spaghetti as it always had just the right amount of flavor.
He was viewed by many in the West Haven neighborhood as someone they could count on and look up to as an extended family member. Carl also enjoyed the memories he made with his many friends and family at Burkeâs, Willow Run Lounge, Village Court and other local restaurants.
Carl said that he was able to keep going every day because he would âKeep Smilingâ. He will be remembered by his smile and kind greetings.
Those left to cherish memories of Carl are his children, Carol Ann (Greg) Wine, Carl William âBillâ Solum III, Mitchell (Mona) Hoy, Mark (Edna) Solum, Carla (Mark) Sampson, Dan Solum and Shelley Huebner; grandchildren, Jason (Lilly Chiou) Chodur, Sara (Irvin) Castro, Patricia (Tim) Jackson, Robert (Janice) Wine, Zarrie Solum, Dustin Solum, Lacey (Nick) Thompson, Anisa (Robert) Giuseppepe, Justina (Jay) Abimanyu, Jordan (Lindsay) Hoy, Tanner (Sara) Hoy, Rhea (BJ) Anderson, Ryan (Rane) Mix, Taylor Ott, Nicole (Cathy) Jacobs, Kasandra Godbold, Sarah-Jo (Matt) Scaparotti, Tyler Sampson, Samuel Sampson, Eric Dittberner, Travis (Paige) Gordon, Nicholas Solum, Chris (Abby) Huebner, Jamie (Paige) Huebner; 33 great grandchildren; one great great grandson and one great great granddaughter; many nieces and nephews; and other family members and friends.
Carl is preceded in death by his wife, Joy; daughter, Sherrie Solum; grandson, Zachary Solum; his parents; as well as his siblings and their spouses, Sybil (Eldon) Finch, Richard Solum, Chester âChetâ (Ardine) Solum, Palmer Solum, and Myrtle (Harold) Hennagir.
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