Brenda Carlson

Feb 25, 1955 -

Aug 12, 2025

Brenda Carlson, age 70, passed away on Aug. 12, 2025, at Alaska Regional Hospital in Anchorage, Alaska, after battling the progression of COPD over the last eight-plus years.

She was born in Prairie Grove, Ark., to Wayne and Betty Smith on Feb. 25, 1955. After graduating from high school early, she headed to Seattle, Wash., and lived with relatives while exploring job opportunities. In the mid-70s, she drove to Alaska with first husband, Terry Sullivan. He built homes; she got her real estate license and sold them.

Brenda married Steve Carlson in 1983. She was an appraiser for the Municipality of Anchorage Assessor for 13 years and in the Commercial Vehicle Enforcement section of Alaska Department of Transportation for another five.

In retirement, she earned an Advance Master Gardner certificate, building on farm-life skills that could power her family through the apocalypse. Brenda maintained a park-like yard and her greenhouse sanctuary. She loved winter trips to sunny places and for the last 13 years of her life, settled into the cycles of snowbird life with a second home in Arizona.

Brenda was preceded in death by her parents; older brother, Darrell; and numerous dogs. She is survived by her husband of 42 years, Steve Carlson; stepchildren, Brandon (Kaiya) and Tricia (Brian); six grandchildren; brother and buddy, Tommy Smith (Deb); and extended families in Anchorage and Northwest Arkansas. She believed all will be reunited. No services are planned at this time.