Alta Mae Carlson

Dec. 28, 1928--March 9, 2011

TRENTON, Nebraska -- Alta Mae Carlson, 82, passed away Wednesday (March 9, 2011), at the Veteran's Home in Grand Island, Nebraska.

She was born Dec. 8, 1928, in Trenton to William Burton "Burt" and Anna Martha (Rasmussen) Skinner. She graduated from Trenton High School in 1946.

On March 23, 1947, she married Verle A. Carlson in Trenton in a double ceremony with her cousin, Bill Skinner and his bride, Nedine Riley. They celebrated their anniversaries together for many years. Verle and Alta resided in Trenton, then moved to Council Bluffs, Iowa, Kansas City, Missouri and later to Arapahoe, Nebraska where Verle worked in construction and Alta was a busy homemaker and mother as well as a waitress in several restaurants.

After another move to Beaver City, Nebraska and Bird City, Kansas, they moved back to Trenton in 1962.

In 1964, Verle was elected Hitchcock County Judge and Alta worked as his secretary. She also worked for ESU Unit No. 15 in Trenton for many years.

Alta was a member of the First Congregational Church in Trenton. She enjoyed socializing with friends and family and crocheting.

Preceding her in death were her husband, Verle Carlson on March 13, 2010; her parents, Burt and Anna Skinner; granddaughter, Jacquelyn Rae Tuttle; two brothers, Wilbur and Dale Skinner; and two sisters, Bernice Crossan and Zelma Confer.

Survivors include her daughter, Sharon Carlson and Zane Grigg of Trenton; son, Ray and wife, Debra Carlson of Saginaw, Texas; one brother, Gene Skinner of Edison, Nebraska; one sister, Leona Smith of Trenton; six grandchildren, Annette Carlson, Troy Tuttle, Jennifer Carlson-Shear, Jason Carlson, Sonja Carlson, and Ryan Carlson; eight great-grandchildren, Allison Tuttle, Megan Tuttle, Kaleb Carlson, Kyley Carlson, Khloe Carlson, August Shear, Leanne Carlson and Tyler Carlson; and numerous relatives and friends.

In lieu of flowers, memorials may be given in her name.

Visitation is Sunday, 4-8 p.m., at Carpenter Breland Funeral Home.

Friends may send condolences to the family at www.carpenterbreland.com.

Funeral services are Monday, 10:30 a.m., at First Congregational Church in Trenton with Pastor Jean Miller officiating. Burial will follow in the Cornell Cemetery south of Trenton.

Carpenter Breland Funeral Home of McCook is in charge of the arrangements.