Maybelle Carlson

Maybelle Claudia Carlson, 94, passed away peacefully on October 4, 2008 at Middle River Health and Rehabilitation Facility, South Range, Wisconsin. Maybelle was born April 26, 1914 in Blaine Township, the youngest child of Carl Albert and Amanda (Holmgren) Carlson. She attended Aspen School. Her early years were spent on the farm trying to keep up with her four older brothers. Hoping to be included in their work and fun she declared that her name was "Billie," a nickname that persisted until her death. She loved the outdoors and riding horses in particular. Her nieces and nephews remember that she made wonderful chocolate fudge and was usually successful in finding arbutus in the early spring. As a teenager Maybelle was confirmed in Zion Lutheran Church, Markville, Minnesota and remained actively Christian throughout her life. She was an avid reader of the Bible as well as other material. An early job was with Gillette Hospital in St. Paul; during WWII Maybelle worked at Holman Field in Minneapolis assisting in maintenance of B-24 bombers. She spent many years as a beauty operator in St. Paul, taking time out to care for her ill sister Hildene in Arizona, and later her mother Amanda during her declining years. Although Maybelle remained single and childless, she developed warm relationships with her nieces and nephews, particularly Virginia Carlson Bowles, Gary Carlson and Kay Carlson Jones. Maybelle will be fondly remembered for her warmth and quick wit, and missed as the last family historian of her generation. She was preceded in death by her parents, Carl Albert and Amanda, sisters Hildene and Elaine, brothers Len, Bertel, Harry, Ragnar and Victor. Maybelle is survived by 13 nieces and nephews and their families. Funeral services were held at Zion Lutheran Church, Markville, Minnesota on October 9, 2008, with Pastor Tim Faust officiating. Music was provided by Don Carlson, soloist and Annette Carlson, organist. Interment was at Hillcrest Cemetery, Blaine Township - property donated to the Town by her Grandfather August Carlson in the early 1900's, from a corner of his homestead. Casketbearers were Donald Carlson, Ralph Carlson, Gary Carlson, Donald Bowles, Edward Carlson and Galen Jensen. Funeral arrangements were entrusted to Swedberg-Taylor Family Funeral Home, Webster, Wisconsin.