NORFOLK — Marilyn Carlson, 89, Norfolk, formerly of Wausa, died May 26, 2024, at Heritage of Bel Air, Norfolk.

Private family services will be held at a later date.

Brockhaus-Howser-Fillmer Funeral Home in Norfolk is in charge of arrangements.

Marilyn Eleanor Carlson was born Nov. 10, 1934, in Oakland, to Schubert and Eleanor (Anderson) Shallberg. When Marilyn was a young girl, the family moved to a farm east of Wausa, where she grew up with her three brothers and two sisters. She graduated from Wausa High School in 1952. She went on to attend Wayne State College, and then taught at a rural school for four years. While she was teaching there, Marilyn was courted by Kenneth Carlson, who would often visit her at the one room schoolhouse. The couple soon wed at the Evangelical Covenant Church, Wausa, June 10, 1956, and they enjoyed 59 years of marriage together, raising four children, Laddy Wade, Bradley James, Trudy Kay and Lance Christian.

The family lived in Norfolk for eight years until moving back to Wausa in 1968, where Marilyn supported Ken as he opened Carlson Automative Service with his brother, Don.

While she was a homemaker raising their children, she was an involved member of the Wausa community, including volunteering at events and supporting traditions to honor her proud Swedish heritage. Marilyn was also an active member of the Covenant Church. In her youth, she was baptized at Salem Covenant Church and was confirmed at Wausa Covenant Church, where she remained a member throughout her life.

After her children were grown, Marilyn worked for many years as a cook at the Valley View Nursing Home, Wausa. Later in life, she took great joy in supporting her grandchildren and great-grandchildren’s many activities, faithfully attending countless events, and always proudly sharing pictures and stories of their accomplishments.

After sadly losing her husband in 2015, and her youngest son, Lance, in 2017, Marilyn resided at the Countryside Villa, Wausa, and then Heritage of Bel-Air, Norfolk.

She was deeply loved and cherished by her family and friends and will be fondly remembered for her quick wit, strength, intelligence, and kindness.

Marilyn is survived by her children, Laddy (Beth) Carlson, Las Vegas, Nev.; Bradley (Pam) Carlson, Norfolk; Trudy (Gary) Zalud, Vermillion, S.D.; daughter-in-law, Melanie Carlson. Syracuse; 13 grandchildren; 20 great-grandchildren; her sisters, Carol (Douglas) Baker and Sharolyn (Timothy) Knight; as well as many nieces and nephews.

She was preceded in death by her husband, Kenneth; sons, Brian (in infancy) and Lance; her parents; and brothers, Dale, Burton and Elton.