Lorraine ‘Lori’ Carlson, age 87, of Howard Lake, died Thursday, June 29, 2011, at the Howard Lake Good Samaritan Care Center. She was born Aug. 14, 1923, on a farm northwest of Kingston, the fourth oldest child, having four brothers and five sisters. Lori attended school at District 44, and also in Watkins. She worked at many different jobs including cooking, cleaning, and factory work at Precision. Lori married Bill Carlson Aug. 23, 1944, in Kingston. Bill was serving in the Army Air Corps, and they lived in Midland, TX and Spokane, WA during his years of service. Following his service, they lived in Kingston, Minneapolis, and Navarre. When Bill retired, he and Lori enjoyed a summer home at Carefree Country Club in Big Lake, and spent the winters in Arizona. Five years ago, they sold their home in Arizona and bought a home on Dutch Lake Trail in Howard Lake. Bill was in poor health and passed away in October 2007. Lori has been a resident at Howard Lake Good Samaritan Care Center since December 2007.
Her hobbies included tending to her flowers, traveling, golf, snowmobiling, and visiting friends and relatives. In addition to her husband, Lori was preceded in death by her parents, Oscar and Hulda Peterson; and a brother, Alden Peterson.
She is survived by brothers Wilbert, Arnold, and Roger (Maxine); sisters Margie Mueller, Margaret (Bill) Hendrickson, Dorothy (Ernest) Larson, Estella Merriman, and Marlene (Roger) Ahlm; and several nieces and nephews. A memorial service took place Thursday, July 7 at 10 a.m. at Good Shepherd Free Lutheran Church in Cokato, with visitation for one hour prior to the service at the church.