Irene Carlson

Irene Carlson, age 83, of Marquette died Monday afternoon, December 1, 2003, at St. Francis Medical Center in Grand Island.

Funeral Services will be held at 10:30 A.M., Thursday, December 4th at Monroe Evangelical Free Church north of Murphy. Rev. Mark Dunham will officiate. Interment will be in the Monroe Evangelical Free Church Cemetery. Visitation will be from 3 to 8 P.M. Wednesday at Higby-McQuiston Mortuary in Aurora. Condolences may be e-mailed to the family through the mortuary website at higbymortuary.com.

Irene M. Carlson was born April 25, 1920 to Myrtle (Thompson) Carl and Charles William Carl on a farm near Wood River, Nebraska. She attended a country school near her home through the eighth grade and continued her education at Wood River High School.

As a child she endured pneumonia seven times resulting in scarring to her lungs which left her with a distinctive cough that was her trademark.

She attended Cameron Country Church where she accepted the Lord as her personal Savior at a young age through revival meetings. She enjoyed Polk Bible Camp through her teens where she grew in her Christian walk and made many close and lasting friendships.

God had gifted her musically and she began playing the piano by ear at the age of three. Throughout her childhood she played for many school and church programs. At the age of 18, she moved with her parents to Grand Island and began playing for the "Haven of Rest" radio broadcast program. She married Carl Rudolph Carlson on June 12, 1947 and they began their life together on a farm near Marquette where they raised five children.

Irene was a member of the Monroe Evangelical Free Church where she played the organ and piano for over 50 years. She also served in Vacation Bible School, Awana, Sunday School and other women's ministries.

One of the greatest joys of her life was her grandchildren. When her grandchildren were young, she had what she called "Special Day". Once a month the grandchildren would go to her house and read Bible stories, hear "Little Timmy" stories, make crafts, go on excursions, and eat special treats.

In her golden years she authored a book Grandma's Memories as a gift to her wonderful heritage of grandchildren.

There is not a person that has met her that has not been affected by Irene's generous and loving heart. She faithfully served her Lord and Savior throughout her life. She was preceded in death by her husband, Rudy and two great grandchildren, Asher and Nathaniel Borgquist. She is survived by her sister Alice Nordine of Des Moines, IA, children Curt Carlson and his wife Carla of Marquette, Barbara Bebee and her husband Roy of Charleston, SC, Ardith Handrup and her husband Barry of Hampton, Dorene Borgquist and her husband Daryl of Leesburg, VA, and Bill Carlson and his wife Michele of Castle Rock, CO, twenty grandchildren and ten great grandchildren.