"I am old enough to say that I have been a good friend of my cousin, Jean, and her family for all of her life. Beryl and I will greatly miss our many visits with her, our email and picture exchanges and our weekly phone conversations. We will always remember our wonderful times together in Norway, Rochester, Chicago, Branson and other places in the U.S. It has been great sharing our lives together. We send best wishes to all that have been fortunate enough to have Jean as a part of their life. Ed and Beryl Flom"
In loving memory of
Jean Marie Carlson
May 24, 1935 - March 4, 2023
Jean Marie Carlson, 87, of Rochester, MN died March 4, 2023 at Season's Hospice House in Rochester, MN.
Jean was born on May 24, 1935, in Red Wing, Minnesota, to Ditman Milton and Stella Beatrice (Ohnstad) Flom. She grew up in Leon Township, Goodhue County, Minnesota and attended school in District #52. Jean graduated from Kenyon High School, Kenyon, Minnesota in 1953 as Salutatorian of her class. She then attended Luther College, Decorah, Iowa where she received a Certificate in Education in 1955 and a Bachelor of Arts Degree in 1958. She also spent two summer sessions at Augustana College, Sioux Falls, South Dakota. She was an elementary teacher in Red Wing, Minnesota; New Hampton, Iowa; Beloit, Wisconsin; and Oak Creek, Wisconsin.
On June 1, 1957, Jean Marie Flom was united in marriage to her Luther College friend, Lorne Clifford Carlson at Urland Lutheran Church in rural Cannon Falls, Minnesota. After Lorne and Jean graduated from Luther College, they moved to South Milwaukee, Wisconsin, where both were teachers in the Oak Creek Public Schools. In August 1962, they relocated to Rochester, Minnesota, when her husband became an elementary school principal in the Rochester Public Schools. Lorne was a school administrator in Rochester for 30 years, retiring in 1992. Jean was a substitute teacher in the Rochester Public Schools until 2010.
Jean was a member of Gloria Dei Lutheran Church, where for several years she was a Sunday School and Vacation Bible School teacher. In her later years, she enjoyed being a Greeter at Church Services, and being with the Gloria Dei Senior Group known as "Forever Forty". She was also a member of Rochester's Sons of Norway Kristiania Lodge 47; Vestlandslag, a group of Norwegian-American descendants from the West Coast of Norway; Vesterheim Museum; the Red Hats; the Jubilee Travel Club; and the Rochester Area Retired Educators Association.
Jean enjoyed attending musical programs and concerts, theatre productions, gardening, photography, and traveling. Lorne and she traveled to all 50 states, Canada, Mexico, islands in the Caribbean, Iceland, and most European countries. Being of Scandinavian roots, the seven visits to Norway were very special experiences. Some of the most memorable times were spent with the entire Carlson family on cruises to Alaska, Hawaii, the Baltic, the Mediterranean, and South Pacific French Polynesia including Bora Bora. After Lorne's death, she traveled with her sister-in-law, Marian, on several European river voyages, including the Danube, Rhine, Moselle, and Seine Rivers.
Jean will always be remembered for her beautiful infectious smile, along with her caring personality and love of children.
Lorne and Jean were married 52 years. Lorne passed away September 19, 2009.
Jean had no siblings.
She is survived by one son, Jeffrey (Joyce) Carlson of Tennessee; two grandsons, Michael Carlson of Arizona and David Carlson of Italy; sisters-in-law, Marian Balch of Arizona and Ann (Larry) McAlpin of Arizona; and brother-in-law, Robert (Connie) Carlson of Washington.
The Memorial Service for Jean M. Carlson will be held 1:30 PM Tuesday, March 28, 2023, at Ranfranz and Vine Funeral Homes, 5421 Royal Place NW, Rochester, MN. Visitation will be at the funeral home one hour prior to the service. Private family interment will be at Grandview Memorial Gardens. Memorials are preferred to Gloria Dei Lutheran Church, Rochester Area Retired Educators Association, or Season's Hospice.
Ranfranz and Vine Funeral Home is honored to be serving the Carlson family; to share a special memory or condolence, please visit www.ranfranzandvinefh.com.
Tributes
"When asked about Jean Carlson, one cannot separate her from her beautiful smile and her contagious laugh. It was always comforting to hear her "guffaw" or little giggle. She exemplified what it meant to be an elementary school teacher- caring, loving, understanding, yet firm. She seemed to have a set of eyes on the back of her head, so no shenanigans were ever pulled off successfully by the kids she oversaw in the classroom. Her love of travel, everything Norway, and sweet treats was endearing. I appreciate the relationship she and my mother share. She is also loved by many, evidenced by the care she received at end of life. Jeff, may you and yours find comfort and solace during this time of transition. - Kami Norland. "
"Our family is very sorry for your loss! Jean was such a special person! She had a friendly and positive personality, a big smile and a wonderful laugh! Jean loved her family very much! She was so proud of Lorne, Jeff, Jo, and her grandsons! Jean and I met back in 1970 when I first started teaching in Rochester. Since we were both teachers we belonged to many of the same organizations and we knew many mutual colleagues. Jean was always my first choice to substitute for me because I knew she?d do a great job! Jean loved and cared about people. She had many, many friends. My friendship with Jean developed over the years as we had many things in common. One of our mutual interests was traveling. We?d frequently visit about places we?d both traveled to or wanted to visit. Another interest was our Scandinavian heritage. As time went by Jean and Lorne became and extension of our family. They attended many of our family celebrations like graduations and weddings. Jean and I became as close as many sisters. We were friends for 53 years! Jean?s passing leaves a huge void in my life! I will miss her every day! I?m very grateful for our special friendship and I will always treasure our time together!! "
"Jeff & family - so sorry for your loss. Your Mom was a favorite substitute teacher, neighbor on 12th Avenue, and Gloria Dei sister. I loved chatting with her when I saw her at church, her beautiful smile and she was so proud of you, your wife and her grandsons. Perhaps the last time I saw Jean was at my own Momma's visitation in October 2021. She was always so kind & genuine, asking about how my Mom was doing. Jean will be fondly remembered & greatly missed! Cindy (Baier) Sheppard"