Obit: Carlson, Mary Theodora #2 (1924 - 2012)

Contact: Robert Lipprandt
bob@wiclarkcountyhistory.org 

Surnames: Anstutz, Bednar, Franc, Fraser, Fronek, Hackel, Kakes, Kallstrom, Law, Lloyd, Nelson, Peissig, Schmidt, Wake, Waltenberg

----Source: The Star News (Medford, WI) 05/31/2012

Carlson, Mary Theodora (Rawlence) (11 OCT 1924 - 26 MAY 2012)

Mary Theodora Carlson (Rawlence), 87, of Abbotsford, left this world with joyful expectations on Saturday, May 26, 2012, at Ministry Saint Joseph's Hospital in Marshfield.

She was born on October 11, 1924 in Riversfield, her childhood home in Salisbury, England, to G. Norman and Sarah Margaret Fitzgerald Rawlence (Law). During high school, she volunteered for medical training and went on to serve as a nurse's aide during World War II. During the war, her lifelong faith was strengthened when she heard the bombing and felt Jesus walking beside her. In 1947, she came to Wisconsin to help her sister with the birth of her second child.

There she met and married Richard Carlson on April 3, 1948. She and Richard dairy farmed for 23 years in the Town of Hoard. After farming, she worked as a medical secretary at the Abbotsford Nursing Home. As a widow in retirement, she was a hospice volunteer and was active in her church. Mary also wrote two novels, "Journey from Cornwall" and "Journey from Europe." On her 80th birthday, she fulfilled a childhood bet with her best friend by climbing a tree, making sure to climb higher than her friend had. Mary had an adventurous spirit and enjoyed the daily crossword, reading, playing cards, challenging friends and family in Scrabble, playing computer Solitaire, and being a consummate recycler.

She was preceded in death by her husband; parents; her sister, Eleanor (Donald) Carlson; her brothers, Edward Rawlence who died in service during World War II, Michael Rawlence who was wounded in World War II; and her grandson, Rick Peissig.

Mary is survived by her daughters, Teddi (Jack Wake) Carlson of Monyash, England, Stephie (Phil) Nelson, Kathy (Claude) Peissig, Jenni (Jim) Jakel, all of Abbotsford, and Laurie (Dave) Kallstrom of Weston; grandchildren, Travis Nelson, Tracey (Jeff) Bednar, Lisa Totzke, Sarah (Eric) Hackel, Julia Jakel, and Nick, Allie and Luke Kallstrom; and great-grandchildren, Nia Schmidt, Dean Hackel, Grace and Baby (JJ) Bednar.

Funeral services were held on Tuesday, May 29 at Our Savior's Lutheran Church in Medford, Town of Holway. Burial was at Our Savior's Lutheran Church Cemetery in the Town of Holway.

In lieu of flowers, memorials may be given to St. Paul's Lutheran Church in Curtiss. "Have I not commanded you? Be strong and courageous. Do not be terrified; do not be discouraged, for the Lord your God will be with you wherever you go." Joshua 1:9.

The Maurina Schilling Funeral Home in Abbotsford assisted the family with arrangements.

Online condolences can be made at www.maurinaschillingfuneralhome.com