Carmen LaVonne McAliley Lidstrom

Carmen LaVonne McAliley was born April 25, 1924, at a hospital in Walker, Cass Co., MN. She was the sixth child of seven born to Leroy and Mabel (Lorenz) McAliley, while the family was living in rural Nevis, MN. In 1925 the McAliley family moved to Aitkin, MN. Here Carmen attended Kindergarten and Grade School to fifth grade. April 1935 the family moved to a farm just east of Crosby, MN. Tragically, February 1936 Carmen’s father, Leroy McAliley, was critically injured as result of being burned while adding fuel to the kitchen wood stove. He died February 21, 1936, due to the severity of his injuries, leaving Mabel alone with the younger children to go on without him as their father and provider.

Fifth grade through high school she attended Crosby schools. Carmen graduated from Crosby-Ironton High School in the Class of 1942. That Fall she registered for Teacher's Training in a course taught at Crosby’s Franklin Grade School upper classrooms, commuting daily from Aitkin where her family now lived so that Mabel could care for her aging parents, Charles and Paulina Lorenz. One year later, after completing the course, she obtained a position to begin in the fall teaching 30 students in grades 1-8, held at the country school at Perry Lake, MN.

In April 1941 Sheldon Lidstrom and Carmen had gone on their first date. On their second date she knew she loved him. Sheldon's mother, brothers and sister were moving to Seattle, WA, and his mother insisted he go with them, which meant Carmen and he had to be separated from each other. Sheldon received his induction notice while living in Seattle -- now WWII was going to keep them apart even longer. Sheldon traveled back to Fort Snelling, Minnesota, and became a soldier in the United States Army. They were engaged, but marriage would have to wait.

When Sheldon was able to obtain a leave, he and Carmen were married July 18, 1943, at the Aitkin Gospel Tabernacle. There was no “honeymoon”, as Sheldon had to return to duty. Later in the summer Carmen was able to go on the train and spent two weeks with Sheldon in Laurel, MD (he was stationed at Ft. George G. Meade) then returned to Minnesota to begin her teaching job at Perry Lake country school Fall 1943. Here she boarded with a family near the school. She had finished her year of teaching at Perry Lake; Sheldon was still stationed in Laurel, Maryland. Carmen was allowed to join him there. They rented rooms, and began making their home together... doing their best on very little money due to war rationing, very little pay, and soon a baby was on the way. Washington, DC, was close; they enjoyed day trips to explore the area around them -- she often reminisced about "Sunday afternoons walking around Baltimore in high heels" with her legs and feet aching, because "that was what she had worn to church" and she was always dressed up for church to attend morning and evening services! They were pleased when Sheldon's mother, Hilma Lidstrom, was able to come and visit them there once for a few days, and they were able to take her on a tour of the historic areas.

Their daughter LaVonne was born March 14, 1945, in Aitkin (Carmen had returned "home" to Aitkin for the birth). LaVonne lived not quite a year, passing away March 6, 1946, after contracting double-pneumonia -- just prior to the birth of their second child, Dale, April 21, in Aitkin. Sheldon had obtained an honorable discharge at the end of WWII, and returned to Minnesota with plans to take his family to Seattle and begin their life there. Mom Mabel began experiencing health issues, and it was best for them to stay nearby, so Brainerd became their home.

The Sheldon Lidstrom family did make the move “West” in 1947, making their home in Seattle, Washington. Here Robert "Bob" (1948), DiAnn (1950), and Arlin (1952) were born. The family then lived for a few years in Bellevue, to be closer to Sheldon's business. In 1957 Sheldon, Carmen and the four children moved to Federal Way, WA; here Barbara (born 1960) and Jim (born 1962) completed the Lidstrom family.

Each move meant a new church to attend, which produced the result of added Christian friendships, church building programs in which to participate, pastors and missionaries to support. Among these were Assembly of God churches: Calvary Temple (Seattle), Bellevue, Auburn, Federal Way, Des Moines, Sumner and Puyallup. The family also attended Colonial Bible Church in Federal Way for two different periods of time. Sheldon and Carmen made church attendance Sunday, mid-week, Saturday night prayer meetings, and special services a priority. Each child was “trained up in the way he should go”. They made certain their children had every opportunity to know God in a personal way.

Carmen’s profession for many years was "Wife, Mother, and Homemaker". She also devoted time to helping Sheldon with his businesses, "Bellevue Square Radio & Television" in Bellevue and "Shelly’s TV" in Federal Way, doing whatever she could to support him. In the 1980’s she worked at J.C. Penney, Southcenter, in a retail position. She enjoyed her time there, and was a valuable employee.

Through the years she enjoyed working for Jesus as she taught Sunday School classes, worked in Vacation Bible School, and enjoyed participating in the Women's Ministries groups in whatever church she attended, helping wherever she felt God wanted her.

1969 Sheldon and Carmen built a home for themselves in Bonney Lake, WA. They enjoyed a loving marriage for 46 years. Later years of their lives they traveled; first in a truck/camper, then in a trailer, and finally in an RV -- enjoying the United States, including several winters in Yuma, AZ, and parts of California. One very special winter they were able to travel to Texas and spend precious time with Carmen's sisters, Eileen and Ione and brother-in-law Frank Larson. The Lidstroms made friends everywhere they traveled, always enjoying participating in new experiences, church services, meeting new Christian friends and others they came in contact with -- witnessing to all they met of their faith in Christ, and the great love Christ had shown them throughout their lives.

Sheldon passed away at Bonney Lake on December 5, 1989. Carmen continued to reside in the Bonney Lake home until she moved to Golden Rose Mobile Park in Puyallup in December 1996). Here she enjoyed living just a few spaces away from her sister "Gen" and Ray Graffe, allowing them the ability to spend much more time together. She quickly made friends there, and created a nice home for herself, where she enjoyed entertaining her family and friends, working in her flower beds, visiting with others in the park, and joining in on the activities available there. 1996 Carmen determined that it was time for a move to an apartment at Life Manor, Tacoma, where there would be less "upkeep" taking her time and energy.

Carmen spoke many times of her early life -- she loved the family she was born into. The family was always taken to church by "Papa" and "Mama" -- first the Methodist Church, then the Aitkin Gospel Tabernacle, which later became the Aitkin Assembly of God. Mother, Mabel, taught the McAliley children to play games; and Carmen still loved playing games, teaching her grandchildren and great-grandchildren games her sisters, Eileen and Genevieve had taught her when they visited. She was always "up" for Game Night with her family! and she was very good at learning new games, too. Her love of putting together picture puzzles was known to all, especially those at the Golden Rose Mobile Park and at Life Manor. Often she would slip out, even late at night, to "just put in a few more pieces".

Carmen greatly enjoyed the opportunities she had to travel to see her relatives and friends, who were so important to her. She took many trips with her children, as well as alone when she chose; she always preferred to travel with someone, though, to share in the many wonderful memories made along the way. She loved "re-living" the past by visiting the places in Minnesota where she grew up, and once again being able to see her cousins, nieces, and nephews... now with their own families growing up.

She was preceded in death by her father Leroy McAliley (1936); mother Mabel (Lorenz) McAliley (1964); sisters, Ruby Skaug (1991), Ione Larson (1997), Eileen Kvistad Norwood (1993), Genevieve Graffe (1998); brothers, Hugh McAliley (1946), Keith McAliley (1977). She always looked forward to the times she was able to visit or be visited by her sisters and brothers and their families. Carmen wanted to keep the family “connected”… that they might know one another and enjoy the company of those with the same heritage.

When she married Sheldon his family became hers. She always made certain that the Lidstrom relations -- including all his brothers, sisters, nieces, nephews, cousins, and friends -- were "connected" with herself and her family. She took great care in relating to her children the news she had heard when she received a card, letter, visit, or telephone call from someone in the extended family and friends from her past (which included our past).

Carmen’s faith in her Savior Jesus Christ began at a young age. She said, “About age 8, or so, on Mother’s Day, I realized I needed to tell Jesus I wanted to go to heaven. My mother prayed with me following the service at Aitkin Gospel Tabernacle. That summer my sister Genevieve and I were baptized, along with others from the church, out at a lake on a Sunday afternoon.” The family was very active in the church, and Carmen grew spiritually: praying, singing hymns and choruses learned at church, memorizing scriptures -- realizing a deeper relationship with God. Carmen said her mother had the greatest impact on her spiritual life: “Teaching by example”. Her most treasured possession: “My Christian heritage.”

She said her happiest time was when Sheldon and all the kids were at home. The advice about life she wanted others to remember: “Put Jesus first!” The family custom she would like passed on to her children and grandchildren: “Go to church regularly – first priority. Take time to read, pray, and talk with children every night at bedtime.” Her children remember each night she would come to them at bedtime (usually all the children together), talk a little with them about their day, sing a song with them -- “Now I Lay Me Down to Sleep” -- and listen to them say their prayers. Her Christian life was consistent. Her spiritual legacy she wanted to leave for others: “I put Jesus first in my life. That He might shine thru me and influence others. Joy and peace and contentment is found in the Christian life.”

What Carmen said she would like to see happen in the next ten years: “Each of my family, grand kids, great-grandkids, nephews and nieces accept Jesus as Savior and living for Him.”

“Her children rise up and call her blessed…” Proverbs 31:28

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Information provided is from her stories of her early life she told her children through the years, and the entries she made in a book entitled “Reflections From a Mother’s Heart”, given to her by her daughter Barbara in 1998. She was still working on completing the answers to the questions asked; she had many handwritten notes in the book, which we treasure. (Written by DiAnn)

CARMEN'S FAMILY - - 7 Children, 17 Grandchildren, 22 Great-grandchildren:

LaVonne Lidstrom, deceased 1946

Dale (Rita) Lidstrom

Robert “Bob”, (Janice) Lidstrom, deceased 1998; their daughter Michelle (Nick) Steele and children: Josiah, CarrieAnne, Jace, Nicole; their son Tim (Sarah) and children: Blake, Connor, Ella.

DiAnn (Rod) Easterby; their son Rod, Jr. and his son Marcus; son Lance and his children: Jessica Chantelle, Lexus; Rocky; and Asher.

Arlin (LaVerne) Lidstrom; son Chad (Lori); son Jonathan (Mary), their daughters: Isabella, Madalin, Joslynn; son Samuel; daughter Katarina.

Barbara (Jerry) Hubbard; son Robert Woll, children Andrew, Kiersten, Breanna, Rebecca, Mallia; daughter Jennifer Woll, sons Collin and Caleb Scrimsher; son Jacob (Ashley) Hubbard; son John (Leslie) Hubbard.

James “Jim” (Sharon) Lidstrom; sons Erik, Michael, Anthony, Bradley, Curtis.

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CARMEN LIDSTROM

Carmen LaVonne (McAliley) Lidstrom went to meet her Savior, Jesus Christ, face to face. Born April 25, 1924 at Walker, MN, and raised in Aitkin and Crosby, MN, she lived in Washington 63 years.

A current resident of Life Manor, Tacoma, she passed away October 2, 2010, at the home of her daughter, Barbara, Puyallup.

Survived by her children: Dale, DiAnn, Arlin, Barbara, Jim. Preceded in death by husband, Sheldon; daughter LaVonne; son Robert (Bob).

Funeral will be held Saturday, Oct. 9, 3:00 pm at Powers Funeral Home, Puyallup. Phone: (253) 845-0356 for information; viewing Fri. 3-8 pm, Sat. pre/post service. Reception follows.

Please view her memorial page online: www.powersfuneralhome.com

(Obituary Published in the News Tribune,Tacoma, WA, on October 6, 2010)

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