Thelma Carlson age 95 of Balaton, formerly of Westbrook, passed away Wednesday, February 25, 2015 at Colonial Manor in Balaton. Funeral services will be at 10:30 a.m. Saturday, February 28 at Grace Lutheran Church in Westbrook. Visitation is one hour prior to services. Burial is in the Westbrook Cemetery. Memorials are preferred to Grace Lutheran Church or Mary and Martha’s Food Pantry. Online condolences may be sent at www.stephensfuneralservice.com. Stephens Funeral Service – Westbrook Funeral Home is assisting the family with arrangements.
Thelma Opal Carlson was born June 28, 1919 to Anna Marie (Warmbold) and Otto Bloch in Rosehill Township, Cottonwood County, near Westbrook, Minnesota. Thelma was baptized in early infancy into the Lutheran faith by Pastor Wolff and later confirmed by Pastor Kreuger. She attended country school District #51 and graduated from Westbrook High School in 1937. Thelma grew up on a farm in Rosehill Township, and as a teenager, moved with her family to a farm north of Dovray where she resided until the time of her marriage. On June 12, 1941 she married Caesar Carlson at Grace Lutheran Church in Westbrook. They made their home on the Carlson family farm north of Westbrook until retiring and moving into Westbrook in 1973. Caesar died August 25, 2008 and Thelma moved to Balaton September 26, 2009. As a member of Grace Lutheran Church, Thelma served as a Sunday school teacher and pianist, president and secretary of the Ladies Aid, and was an active member in the sewing and quilting groups. She held offices in many organizations, was a dedicated member of the Hospital Auxiliary and a 50 year member of Unit 16, participated in County Extension, and was active in the Marigold Garden Club, Sunset Club, S.O.S. Club, Birthday Club, and did volunteer work at the Good Samaritan Home. Thelma enjoyed golfing, bowling, crocheting, handwork and crafts, traveling, wintering in Arizona, and growing and sharing her flowers.
Grateful for having shared her life are two daughters, Lucein (Hank) Dieters of Fort Collins, CO and Marlys (Wendell) Thompson of Brookings, SD; one son, Lee (Carol) Carlson of Balaton; 8 grandchildren; 11 great-grandchildren; nieces, nephews, and friends. She is preceded in death by her parents, husband Caesar, and two brothers, Lorenz and Alfred.
Marly, I want you to know that I am thinking of you , it is never easy to lose a Mom -no matter the age. I enjoyed reading about her and seeing her picture. I wish I could have told her how many times you have shared–what a fairy tale life you had growing up! Any Mom would love to hear that. Hang tight to your good memories. Love, Deb
What a blessing to have had Thelma and Caesar as our Westbrook parents! We have so many precious memories of them. Golfing, eating out, Halloween trick or treating at their home, Thelma always checking how many were in church on Sundays. What a fun lady she was. She liked to brag how she had beat Roy golfing in Balaton after she moved there! Roy will say that he hit her ball to get her over the water and he had to play from the men’s tees. We will miss her greatly. Sorry we won’t be there on Sat. You all will be in our prayers for the next year. Love to our “brother and sisters”. Roy and Lois
For you Carlson Kids I send my condolences. Been awhile since spending summers on the farm and spending days with you guys. Just heard today of Thelma`s death or could have been to the funeral. Have many memories of visiting with your parents over the last few years in Westbrook. Finally getting to get out on the golf course with your Dad was a treat. Having Caesar as my Caddy tell me where the break was on the greens was a big help. They were quite the pair.