Marie Leone Carlson

Mrs. Marie Carlson of North Branch and Harris; passed away Wednesday November 26, 2014 at her home in North Branch at the age of 78. Marie was born in Minneapolis, Minnesota on October 23, 1936. The fifth child of John (Jack) & Meta Berry. She attended St. Stephen’s Elementary and graduated from Central High School in Minneapolis. She held various jobs prior to her marriage to Ralph Wenzel Carlson on May 8, 1958 in Minneapolis. She worked for many years for the Burnsville School District prior to the family’s move to Harris in 1971. Marie worked as a bookkeeper at Peterson’s North Branch Mill until her retirement. She was an active member of St. Gregory’s parish and the Harris American Legion Post 139 Auxiliary serving in many capacities. Volunteer work has been a major part of Marie’s life and gave her great joy. She spent many hours at Green Acres in the gift shop and was always ready with baked goods or a casserole for a family in need. Marie and Ralph raised sheep for over thirty years and Marie was a prime farm hand and nurse to ewes and their lambs. More than a few orphan lambs spent their early days in Marie’s kitchen. She loved cats, particularly “Momma Kitty”, her “first child”, and many others thereafter. Marie was an active member of Right to Life and the John Birch Society. Marie is survived by her husband Ralph, her children & their spouses: Ralph G. & Denise (Steininger) Carlson of North Branch; Ruth & William Mayville of Milton, Vermont; Rachel & Russell Kohn of Brainerd. Her siblings and their spouses Dorothy & Jim Roncone of Sierra Vista, AZ; Louise Theroux of New Hope; Richard & Jeanne Berry of Troy, MI; and Kathleen & Rocky Coval of East Bethel, brother-in-law Dan Suther of California and many nieces and nephews. Her grandchildren & spouses: Greg & Beth Carlson; Paul & Emily Carlson; Lisa and Cary Welter; Joe Kohn; Nick & Tricia Kohn; Rachel & Jeremiah Judd; Maria Carlson; Margaret & Ali Nashad; Kelli Shea, and 21 great-grandchildren. Marie is preceded in death by her parents and sister Evelyn Suther. Memorials may be directed to CurePSP, 30 E Padonia Road, Suite 201, Timonium, MD 21093, curepsp.org. CurePSP’s vision is a world free PSP, CBD and related brain disorders. Father Shane Wasinger will celebrate a Mass of Christian Burial 11:00 AM; Monday (12/1/14) at St. Gregory the Great Catholic Church in North Branch with a time of visitation and reviewal from 9:30 AM till the time of service at the church on Monday. The interment will take place in the St. Gregory the Great Catholic Cemetery in North Branch. Funeral arrangements for Marie Carlson (Mrs. Ralph Carlson) are entrusted to the: Funeral and Cremation Service of Rush City ~ Olson Chapel. www.funeralandcremationservice.com