Services for Carolyn J. Carlson, 85, of Lawrence, will be at 11:00 am Saturday, December 7, 2024, at First Baptist Church, Lawrence, Kansas.
Carolyn died peacefully on Monday, November 18, 2024, at Wellsville Health and Rehab in Wellsville, Kansas.
Carolyn was born April 3, 1939, in Hutchinson, Kansas, the daughter of Lawrence and Fern Wheaton. She graduated from Garden City High School, Garden City, Kansas in 1957. She met her future husband, Lee Carlson, at Ottawa University, Ottawa, Kansas, in 1957, and they were married in 1959. They celebrated 65 years of marriage in June 2024.
Carolyn earned a BS in Home Economics in 1961 from Park University, Parkville, Missouri. After being a wife and mother for 13 years, she started and directed her own preschool, Creative Playtime in Emporia, Kansas. She taught hundreds of young children over 16 years. Later, Carolyn continued her love for teaching children at the Bloomington Developmental Learning Center in Bloomington, Indiana.
Survivors include her husband, Lee Carlson, Lawrence, Kansas, and four daughters, Christy Currier (Don), Lawrence, Kansas; Suzanne Miller, Emporia, Kansas; Lynne Shaw (Peter), Fairfield, California; and Jennifer Lowe (Bill), Raymore, Missouri, eight grandchildren, Alyssa Wheeler (Kevin), Andrew Currier, Alex Currier (Shania), Noah Shaw, Laiken Shaw, Cameron Lowe, Jade Wilhite, and Avery Lowe, and two great-grandchildren, Henry Wheeler and Tatum Currier.
The family suggests memorial contributions to the Alzheimer’s Association, sent in care of Rumsey Yost Funeral Home: PO Box 1260, Lawrence, Kansas 66044.
Online condolences may be sent to www.rumsey-yost.com.
Carolyn was clearly a very devout person, dedicated to her love of God and all people with whom she had contact. We greatly regret our short opportunity to know her better, having been her neighbors for only one year. We think Carolyn was a truly exemplary human being.
With sincere sympathy to all of her family.
Though Carolyn’s absence is keenly felt, we are comforted by the promise of eternal life in Christ Jesus. The same Lord who strengthened you in ministry will now uphold you in this season of loss. We trust His Word, knowing that “God is able to bless you abundantly,” even now, granting you peace that surpasses all understanding and the comfort of His presence.
As you navigate these days, Uncle Lee, may you feel our love and gratitude. We rejoice with you in the knowledge that Carolyn’s faith has now become sight, and we look forward to the day when we will all be reunited in the presence of our Savior. Until then, we stand with you, ready to support and encourage you as you have done for so many.
With love and gratitude from your New England Family
Lee and family,
Carolyn was a blessing to our family here in Emporia! Our children, Holly and Spencer attended her preschool and we all loved her. What a kind, patient, and caring preschool teacher she was. I still think of her when I drive past that house. God bless all of you as you grieve her passing. With love, Don and Robbie Hill
Your precious mother had our daughter, Eliza, in preschool for two years. She was ahead of her time and knew how to approach teaching young children. My husband, Ron, taught a few of you at EHS. We now live in Lawrence, close to our children and grandchildren.
God bless you as you grieve for your wife, mother, grandmother. She was a jewel.
We’re so sorry for your loss. May you be comforted by wonderful memories, family, friends and your faith.