Carolyn Ruth Carlson, 88,entered into eternal life on January 18, 2021 . She has been a resident of Colorado since 1956. She retired from teaching in 1990 from Harrison District 2. She joined her husband to reach students throughout the region through summer Driver's Ed programs in various other school districts. Carolyn was born in Red Oak, Iowa on November 22, 1932 to Mark and Zula Bass.
Carolyn had a special connection to nature, where she found refuge as a child and enduring joy as an adult. She especially loved living close to wildlife where she made it a daily practice to set out water for “her'' deer. To her family she was many things: a master storyteller, a dedicated educator, the backbone and strength of the family, an ivory tickler, the family historian, the queen of rye bread, and the living heartbeat of her husband. She was a friend, an encourager, and a fierce defender of those she loved. She loved deeply, was loved intensely, and will be missed dearly.
She was preceded in passing by her husband of 53 years, Philip W. Carlson, and sister Shirley J. Underwood. Survivors include her older sister: Jean Smith of Pennsylvania; three children: Phil Carlson (Vickie) of Chicago, Illinois; Christi Ellis (Michael) of Colorado Springs; and Steven Carlson, DDS (Kathryn) of Colorado Springs; seven grandchildren: Joshuah Ellis (Holly) of Colorado Springs; Jacelyn Sanchez (Ricardo) of Colorado Springs; Carol Carlson DMA (Matt Wilber) of Madison, Wisconsin; Anna Carlson (Adam Nelson) of Chicago, Illinois; Jordan Ellis of Colorado Springs; Alexis Carlson and Jackson Carlson of Colorado Springs; seven great-grandchildren: Heather Johnson, Philip, Judah and Giovanni Ellis, Cruz and Carlo Sanchez, and Julianna Carlson-Wilber. Carolyn was greatly loved by her entire extended family as well as a wide myriad of friends, students, and people whose lives she touched.
Carolyn was a dedicated member of Delta Kappa Gamma Society International. Funeral arrangements have been made through Swan-Law.
Visitation is set for 6pm to 8pm on Monday, January 25, 2021 at Swan-Law, located at 501 N. Cascade Ave. The private (due to COVID-19 requirements) family funeral service will be held on Tuesday, January 26, 2021 followed by a graveside service. In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be made to First United Methodist Church, 420 N. Nevada, Colorado Springs, CO 80903; or Pikes Peak Hospice & Palliative Care, 2550 Tenderfoot Hill St, Colorado Springs, CO 80906.
