Services for Mary E. Carlson
Mary E. Carlson, 75, of Grygla, MN passed away on Wednesday, September 11, 2019 at her son’s home in Bemidji, MN.
Visitation will be held from 5:00 PM until 7:00 PM on Sunday, September 15, 2019 at Grace Lutheran Church in Grygla. The funeral service will be held at 11:00 AM on Monday, September 16, 2019 at Grace Lutheran Church in Grygla, MN with Pastor Clark Hjelle officiating. Burial will be at Espelie Cemetery.
Mary Evelyn Brink was born February 4, 1944 in Smyrna, TN the daughter of the late Robert and Evelyn (Coleman) Brink. She attended school in Smyrna and graduated with the class of 1962.
She was united in marriage to Clarence Carlson Jr. on January 15, 1965 in Smyrna, TN. They made their home in Smyrna for a short time where their son Richard was born. A couple of years later they moved to Columbus AFB in Mississippi where their daughter Laura was born. With Clarence’s military service, the family lived in various places eventually settling on the Carlson family homestead south of Grygla, MN in 1982.
Together, Mary and Clarence owned and operated the Grygla Café for 16 years. She enjoyed jigsaw puzzles, crossword puzzles, crocheting, gardening, attending the Community Bible Church and most of all loved visiting with family and friends. Mary always had a contagious smile, a beaming personality and was a joy to be around. She will be dearly missed.
Survivors include her son, Richard (Barbara) Carlson of Bemidji, MN; daughter, Laura (Mark Underdahl) Carlson of Faribault, MN; grandchildren, Steven Wilkerling of Bemidji, MN and Paige Wilkerling of Cologne, MN; sisters, Helen Anderson of Smyrna, TN and Dorothy Hartman of Lonoke, AR; sisters-in-law, Renee Bowman of Grygla, MN and Julie Brink of Ashland City, TN; brothers-in-law, James (Marianne) Carlson of Battle Lake, MN and Rodney (Pattie) Carlson of Thief River Falls, MN; and many other relatives and friends.
She is preceded in death by her husband, Clarence Jr.; parents; brother, Robert Brink Jr.; and brothers-in-law, William Carlson and Wayne Anderson.
Condolences may be sent at www.johnsonfuneralservice.com
