Gladys Carlson, age 91, of Cambridge and formerly of Isanti passed away May 13, 2008 at Grandview Christian Home. Funeral services will be held at 11:00 A.M. on Saturday, May 17th at Faith Lutheran Church in Isanti. A visitation will be held 1 hour prior to the service at the church.
Gladys Marjorie Carlson was born January 29, 1917 in rural Stanchfield to Joseph and Johanna Sundeen. Her fond childhood memories included being taken to confirmation in Stanchfield by her dad, in the wintertime, warmly bundled up in their horse-drawn sleigh. Also, when her grandparents would come to visit, she took them coffee, speaking only Swedish (their native language) with them. Gladys worked as a waitress at the Arlington Hotel in Cambridge and for a family in St. Paul. On October 24, 1938 she married Howard Carlson, whom she met at a dance at Isanti’s Electric Palace. They raised five children and lived on a small farm near Isanti, where they gardened and enjoyed the country life. Gladys was first, last and always a homemaker and a well known cook and baker. Her main passion was providing a warm and inviting home for her family and friends. Her pies and homemade Halloween Pop Corn Balls are legendary (she made them to hand out as treats; parents began to send their costumed children to Gladys’ door to ask for additional popcorn balls for them too.) Her garden, flowers, rhubarb and strawberries were the pride of the Carlson farm. She was a member of Faith Lutheran Church in Isanti. Gladys was a little lady (the little peanut) with a big heart who put family first. She will be missed by all who knew her.
Gladys M. Carlson, age 91, of Cambridge, formerly of Isanti, died peacefully on May 13, 2008 at Grandview Christian Home. She was a devoted wife, mom, grandma and great-grandma. Besides her parents she was preceded in death by her husband of 55 years, Howard, in 1993; son, Gary in 2003; brother, Melville Sundeen; 2 sisters, Ellen Lindgren and Edna Lindquist; infant great-granddaughter, Madelyn Grace Carlson.
Gladys is survived by 3 sons, Eddie (Shelly), Joe (Carol), Tom (Linn); 1 daughter, Mary (Scott) Roen; 5 cherished grandchildren, Sharon Melina (Jeff Johnson), Mike (Jean) Carlson, Matt, Inga and Nicholas Roen; 3 great-grandchildren, Angela and Katelyn and new baby Bennett Edward Carlson; nieces, nephews and many friends.
Special thanks to River Hills memory loss unit, Grandview Christian Home and Fairview Hospice staff and volunteers for the wonderful care they gave Gladys.