Obituary: Eilene Carlson

Eilene Carlson

Omaha, Neb.

Eilene T. Carlson passed away October 31, 2023 in Omaha, Neb. at the age of 75 years. She was born February 21, 1948 in Jamestown, N.D.

Eilene attended first grade in Erie, N.D. and then the family moved to Fargo. She graduated with honors as part of the first graduating class of Fargo North High School in 1966 and following this, graduated from North Dakota State University with a bachelor's degree in Home Economics Education in the morning of May 29, 1970. That very evening, she was united in marriage to Mauritz Carlson.

Eilene taught Home Economics in Mohall, N.D. until the birth of their daughter, Theresa. In 1972, she joined Mauritz in Worms, Germany, where he was stationed in the army. Because they lived on the German economy, she became fluent in speaking German. While there, she was the leader of a women's bible study.

In 1974, they returned to Sheyenne, N.D. and she settled down as a full-time farmer's wife. Beginning in the 1980's, she became office manager for Flickertail Veterinary Service and later worked for Community Credit Union. She also briefly worked for the United States Postal Office.

At the age of 50, she returned to graduate school and received her master's degree at Northern State University in High School Counseling. She became the high school counselor at Four Winds High School in Fort Totten, N.D. After a brief retirement, she returned to teach Family Consumer Science at the alternative school at Four Winds High School. She retired once more from teaching to move to Omaha, Neb. to assist in raising her three grandchildren after losing her son-in-law in 2014.

Eilene was a very active and involved person. She began playing the cello in the fourth grade and remained a musical inspiration to her family and others her entire life. She directed Sunday school music while playing the guitar, sang in many choirs and frequently featured as a soloist. She was a 4-H leader for 19 years and most recently, a member of the Bell Choir at Holy Cross Lutheran Church.

Eilene will always be remembered for her phenomenal cooking and baking, as well as painting, drawing, sewing, and her generosity.

Eilene is preceded in death by her parents, Leonard and Helen Ellis; son Erik Carlson; sister Donna Schurdevin; son-in-law Mark Howatt; and nephew Lee Schurdevin.

She is survived by her husband of 53 years, Mauritz Carlson; daughter Theresa (James) Howatt-Perry; grandchildren Hannah Howatt, Michael Howatt and Alexander Howatt; sister Marilyn (John) Martinez; twin sister Elaine (Ken) Rogers; and nieces, nephews and other family and friends.

Celebration of Life was held on Saturday, November 4, from 2-4 p.m. at Good Shepherd L Street Chapel in Omaha, Neb. A memorial service will also be held on Tuesday, November 7, at 11 a.m. at Grace Lutheran Church in Sheyenne, N.D. Private family interment will be at a later date at Riverside Cemetery in Sheyenne, N.D. Memorials may be directed to the St. Jude Research Hospital.

Arrangements by Good Shepherd Funeral and Cremation Services, Omaha, Neb.