Obit: Carlson, Mary T. (1924 - 2012)

Contact: stan@wiclarkcountyhistory.org

Surnames: Carlson, Fitzgerald, Rawlence, Law, Peissig, Nelson, Jakel, Kallstrom, Totzke, Schmidt, Bednar

----Source: Marshfield News Herald (Marshfield, WI) 05/28/2012

Carlson, Mary T. (11 OCT 1924 - 26 MAY 2012)

Mary Theodora Carlson (Rawlence) 87, of Abbotsford, Wisconsin 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 at 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 WWII. 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 WWII, Michael Rawlence, who was wounded in WWII, 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.

Visitation will be from 4 to 8 p.m. on Monday, May 28, 2012 at the Maurina-Schilling Funeral Home, 203 North Fourth Street, Abbotsford, WI 54405. Funeral Services will be at 11:00 a.m. on Tuesday, May 29, 2012 at Our Savior's Lutheran Church , 7879 Apple Ave, Medford, (Town of Holway) WI 54451 with visitation before the service beginning at 10:00 a.m. Burial will be in the Our Savior's Lutheran Church Cemetery in the town of Holway following services.

In lieu of flowers, memorials may be given to Saint 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 is assisting the family with arrangements.

Online condolences can be made to www.maurinaschillingfuneralhome.com