Carla Jean Elliott

Heaven gained an angel on the day of love when Carla Jean (Tjenstrom) Elliott passed away unexpectedly at her home in Phoenix, Arizona on February 14, 2022 at the age of 75. Carla was an avid quilter whose life reflects a poem discovered by her family. Life is like a quilt. Years bound together. Embellished with family and friends. Backed with tradition. Stitched with LOVE. With cornerstones placed carefully to create one-of-a-kind memories of our journey through time. -Author Unknown.

Carla could often be found in her quilt room at her home quilting, crafting, and creating the next memory for her friends and family. Many are lucky enough to have received one of these Wife/Mother/Grandmother/Sister/Aunt/Great Aunt/Friend Carla originals that will keep her memory alive in all of us.

Carla was born in Bismarck, ND to Charles and Wanda (Scholl) Tjenstrom on April 16, 1946. She grew up in Washburn, ND where she met and married her high school sweetheart, Carl Walton Elliott. She and Walt have been each other’s partner, friend, and support for 55 years of loving marriage. Carla worked as an Army wife, nurse, in the land title industry, and in the medical support field throughout her years in Washburn, ND; Fargo, ND; Plymouth, MN; and Phoenix, AZ. While in ND, she raised 3 daughters who gave her 4 grandchildren whom she loved and adored. Cathy (Elliott) Loe, husband David Mark, and daughter Jordana reside in the San Diego area. Jennifer (Elliott) Silbernagel, husband Traver, daughter Reganne and son Payton reside in Fargo, ND. Barbara (Elliott) Miller and her son Andrew (AJ) reside in the Phoenix area. In addition to her quilting passion, throughout her life she could often be found traveling about to support her children’s basketball games and music concerts while they were growing up. This continued in her “Gramma” years by supporting her grandchildren’s softball, ice hockey, Tae Kwon Do, and field hockey events. She was also an avid sports fan and loved watching her local Phoenix Suns and Arizona Diamondback teams.

Carla was preceded in death by her parents, Charles and Wanda Tjenstrom and sister, Charlene (Tjenstrom) Peel. No formal services will be held. She has asked that her ashes be spread between the two homes states that she loved, North Dakota and Arizona. In lieu of flowers, the family asks any memorials be made in Carla’s memory to the United Methodist Church in Washburn, ND.

Fond memories and expressions of sympathy may be shared at www.ShadowMountainMortuary.com for the Elliott family.