In loving memory of

Lydia J. Charlson
July 2, 1929 - July 30, 2018

Lydia Joyce (Limberg) Charlson was born on July 2, 1929 in Buffalo Center, the daughter of Joe and Flora (Harms) Limberg. After graduation from Buffalo Center, Lydia attended beauty school. She worked in the industry for a few years before deciding to stay at home to raise her son Joel and help on the farm.

On November 18, 1948, on her grandmother's birthday, she was united in marriage to Russell Charlson. Lydia worked several summers during the corn pack at Green Giant in Blue Earth when her son, Joel, worked there as a summer job. Later she started working in Timely Mission Nursing Home as an aid when her mother was a resident there. Lydia liked working with the residents and her coworkers. She continued working there many years in laundry and housekeeping.

Family, faith and community were important to Lydia. She was a great wife and mother. She was active in her Bible studies, served as president for the United Methodist Women, and enjoyed the Homebuilders social group at church. She frequently served as liturgist and donated to the church library. Lydia served on the Volunteer Ambulance Committee, usually assisting with transfers because she lived in the country. She served as president of the PTA and in 1971 was co-chair with Irving Larson of the 75 anniversary celebration of the first consolidated school district west of the Mississippi River.

Lydia and Russell lived a life full of happiness together. In the summer they enjoyed watching the goldfinch from the dining room windows. They also enjoyed gardening together. They had vegetables, raspberries, strawberries, apples and pears. Fishing in the beautiful lakes of Minnesota was the perfect way to relax with family and friends. Winter months were spent at home playing cards. They had fun with their neighborhood 500 card club. Together they enjoyed traveling. Two standout trips were to Alaska and Hawaii. They also enjoyed many trips by car and group bus trips.

One of Russell and Lydia's most difficult decisions was to move off the farm and into an independent living apartment. They moved to Summit House in Britt after they both had strokes. Many friends visited them and they made friends in a dozen years there. When the time came that Lydia needed skilled nursing, Timely Mission in Buffalo Center made that transition easier.

She is survived by her son, Joel Charlson of Rochester, MN; a very close cousin Laurie Fosburgh of Apple Valley, MN; and many nieces, nephews, cousins and friends.

Preceding her in death are parents; husband; sister, Freda Limberg; brother, Willis Limberg who was killed in WWII; brother-in-law, Carroll Charlson; sisters-in-law, Vivian Bowers and Blanche Benson.

The family wishes to thank the staff of Timely Mission Nursing Home for their loving compassionate care of Lydia during her time as a resident. It is greatly appreciated.

Tributes

Meredith Brones wrote on Aug 27, 2018:

"Joel, I?m so sorry for your loss! May thoughts and prayers help you cope with your sorrow! God bless! Meredith Brones"

Laurel Joens wrote on Aug 18, 2018:

"Lydia was a wonderful lady, mother and friend. We enjoyed many times with them at the acreage for lemonade and cookies. Lydia will be missed by many. Our love, Joens family. "

Steve Jensson and Bob Percival wrote on Aug 10, 2018:

"Our thoughts and prayers go with our Joel. Steve Jensson and Bob Riceville, IA"

Lynda and Tom Schmitz wrote on Aug 7, 2018:

"I?m so very sorry to hear this news about Lydia. She was a wonderful person to have known. Our sympathy to Joel and family. "

Colleen Haugen wrote on Aug 6, 2018:

"Lydia will be dearly missed at TMNH. She was a very close resident to me and I enjoyed helping her in many ways. My sympathy goes out to her family."

Dolores Rippentrop wrote on Aug 3, 2018:

"I am so sorry to hear of your loss. Lydia was a lot of fun to visit and work with! Our sympathy to Joel and family, Al and Dee Rippentrop"