Curt Carlson Dies at 84
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by Chief Marketer Staff
Carlson Companies founder and chairman Curtis L. Carlson passed away in February in a Minneapolis-area hospital at the age of 84.
Carlson started the Gold Bond Stamp Company in 1938 with a $55 loan, and built it into an empire that includes Carlson Marketing Companies, Radisson Hotels, T.G.I. Friday’s restaurants, and Carlson Leisure, one of the world’s largest travel agencies. Carlson Companies, based in Minnetonka, MN, is among the largest privately owned corporations.
Carlson is survived by his wife of 60 years, Arleen Carlson, and daughters Marilyn Carlson Nelson, current ceo of Carlson Companies, and Barbara Carlson Gage, wife of Gage Marketing chief Edwin “Skip” Gage.
