Margaret Carlson

FOSTER CITY - Margaret H. Carlson, 86, formerly of Foster City, died, Sunday Oct. 14, 2007, at St. Jude's Adult Foster Care in Escanaba. She was born on Dec. 3, 1920, in Cambridge, Md., the daughter of the late Swan and Helen (Larsen) Johnson. Her family relocated to Michigan when she was an infant and settled in Foster City, where she lived the remainder of her life until moving to Escanaba with her son Bill when she needed assisted care. Margaret married Walter Carlson on Aug. 3, 1941, in Foster City. Margaret and Walter owned and operated a dairy farm. She was not only a homemaker to the family, she was also an integral part of the farm and worked along with Walter in the farms daily operation. For many years, Margaret welcomed her children, their spouses, grandchildren and friends to her home on Sunday afternoons, where the bonding of cousins and cherished memories that would last forever, were made. Her bread baking and crepes (Swedish pancakes) were part of the love she gave her family. Margaret and Walter enjoyed snowmobiling and short road trips with their son, Bill. She also loved playing cards, ceramics, sewing, gardening and reading. She and Walter, with others from the area worked hard for the rights of handicapped individuals with Downs Syndrome. Eventually the reality of the TRICO sheltered workshop in Iron Mountain was formed. Margaret loved her church and God. The church and its extended family were the center of her life. She was a member of Mission Covenant Church in Foster City. Margaret is survived by five children, John (Judy) Carlson of Foster City, Esther (Dave) Kobasic of Bark River, Bill Carlson of Escanaba, Steve (Linda) Carlson of Foster City and Marilyn Carlson (Kevin) of Escanaba; 11 grandchildren, Chris (Bill) McMahon, Robert Carlson, Mike (Nancie) Carlson, Dan (Stephanie) Kobasic, Theresa (Dan) Doyen, Nicole (Chris) Elie, Dan (Jennie) Murray, Mohammed Habo, Soraya Habo, Steve Carlson Jr. and Tammy (Mike) Ciochetto, 18 great-grandchildren; one brother, Rasmus (Pearl) Johnson of Foster City; one sister, Betty Kaye of Antigo; and many nieces and nephews including a special niece and her husband, Kathy and Terry Murray of Foster City. In addition to her parents, she was preceded in death by her husband, Walter in 1990; brothers, Emil and Alfred Johnson; a sister, Viola Lysell and grandchildren, Kelly and Eric Kobasic. Visitation will be held on Wednesday from 10 a.m. to 12 noon (Central time) at the Mission Covenant Church in Foster City. Funeral services will be held on Wednesday at 12 noon at the church. Rev. Carl Hammer will officiate. Burial will be in the Foster City Cemetery. Margaret's grandchildren will serve as pallbearers. The family would like to express a special thank you to all her hospice nurses and to St. Jude's Adult Foster Care in Escanaba, where Margaret was lovingly cared for by their extended family and caregivers. Condolences to the family of Margaret Carlson may be expressed online at www.ernashfuneralhomes.com. The family has entrusted the Erickson-Rochon and Nash Funeral Home with arrangements.

Margaret Carlson

October 14, 1921 - October 14, 2007