Lois Marie Carlson

STRATTON -- Lois Marie Carlson, 91, died Wed. (March 13, 2002) at Community Hospital in McCook.

She was born March 2, 1911, to Harry and Mertie (Baker) Bowman on her family's farm in Hitchcock County, Nebraska, near Palisade.  At an early age, she moved with her family to Trenton where she spent her childhood and attended school.  She graduated from Trenton High School in 1929 and taught at different country schools near Trenton.

On August 28, 1932, she married Charlie O. Carlson at Oberlin.  They farmed in Kansas for eight years before moving back to Nebraska where they farmed until 1976.  They moved to their present home in Stratton in 1977.

She was a member of Community United Methodist Church in Stratton, a member of Royal Neighbors, the MGR Club, and the United Methodist Women.  She and her husband, Charlie were instrumental in starting 4-H in the area and were Charter Members of Freedom Go-Getters 4-H.

 She was preceded in death by her parents, Harry and Mertie Bowman; daughter, Vaunda; and two brothers, Willard Bowman, and Harry Bowman.

Survivors include her husband, Charlie Carlson of Stratton; daughter, Joyce and husband, Robert Clayton of Fort Collins, Colo.; son, Larry and wife, Linda Carlson of North Platte; brother, Archie Bowman of Denver, Colo.; sister-in-law, Vera Wray of Trenton, Nebraska; six grandchildren; nine great-grandchildren

Funeral services will be Saturday, 10:30 a.m., at Community United Methodist Church in Stratton with the Rev. Norman Prather officiating.  Interment will follow at Rose Hill Cemetery in Stratton.

Visitation will be at Forch Funeral Chapel of Stratton today until 7 p.m.  In lieu of usual remembrances, the family is requesting that memorial contributions be given to Community United Methodist Church in Stratton, or Grandview Retirement Center, also of Stratton.

Forch Funeral Chapel of Stratton is in charge of arrangements.