Carolyn Carlson, 74, died July 13, 2013, in Delavan, Wisconsin with her loving husband, Chuck at her side. She was born in 1939 in Elgin, Ill., to the late Ralph and Hazel Phillips.
She attended Cornell College where she met and married Donald Allen Jones and had two children, David and Cathy.
She and her family moved to Rockford, Ill., where she sold real estate, worked at the Rockford College and also as a layout artist and writer for a small firm. When the firm changed hands she moved to Delavan and accepted a job at Sta-Rite Industries where she was a product administrator.
During those years, Carolyn took loving care of both her mother and her father until their deaths. She met the love of her life Chuck Carlson and they married on Valentine’s Day 2001 and continued to make their home in Delavan.
Together they participated in church activities, train shows, and other town events. Carolyn was well known for her signature pigtails, happy smile and outgoing personality. Carolyn and Chuck’s home was distinctive.
Together they often made characters that sat on a rock outside their home. Chuck would build the character, while Carolyn made the costumes. Each of their lovely works of art depicted a different holiday.
Carolyn was also known for her knitted hats for newborns at the local hospital.
Survivors include her son and daughter and their respective spouses; husband; sister, Ginny Palmer, Juneau, Alaska; brother, Charles (Ellen) Phillips, Marysville, Wash.; two nephews and two nieces; and four grand nieces and nephews. Also included are her new family of two loving stepdaughters, their husbands, four grandchildren, two great grandchildren, and many cousins throughout the Midwest.
A memorial service will be 11 a.m. Saturday, July 27, at Our Redeemer Lutheran Church, 416 W. Geneva St., with the Rev. Robert P. Rickman officiating. Visitation will be from 10 a.m. to time of service on July 27.
Burial will be in Spring Grove Cemetery.
Betzer Funeral Home, Delavan, is serving the family.
