Kathleen Mary Carlson, age 73, left this earthly life early Sunday morning August 30th, to go to her home in heaven prepared for her by our Lord Jesus Christ (John 14:3). Kathy was born May 15, 1942, to James and Dolores Pappas in Webster, SD. Her early years were spent in Andover, SD, and Fairfax, MN. She attended schools in Mahnomen, MN, Lewiston, MT, Windom, MN, and graduated from Robbinsdale high school. During her high school years her parents owned a motel in Robbinsdale, MN. Kathy helped with the cleaning and operating the switch board. She also worked as a car hop at the A&W next door. During her youth, Kathy was on a competitive Bible quiz team and enjoyed camping and road trip vacations with her family. After high school she attended Lutheran Bible Institute for one year where she met her future husband. Kathy pursued her desire to be a nurse and graduated from Gustavus Adolphus with a four year RN degree. Kathy married Lester Carlson on June 14, 1963 and they moved to a dairy farm in Amery, WI, in 1967.To this young family four children were added: Daniel, Steve, Jon and Sara. Matt and Troy also lived with Kathy and Les for a period of time.
After spending several years as a public health nurse for Polk County, WI, teaching First Aid for the Red Cross and teaching at WITC, she realized her dream of being a school nurse and continued this path for 20+ years with Amery Schools. She enjoyed every day and built friendships with many parents and the kids who came regularly to her office. Following retirement, Kathy continued working part time as a CNA instructor with WITC.
Kathy's love for children led her to work with Vacation Bible School programs, teach Sunday School, be a camp counselor and youth group leader, volunteer at Mustard Seed Faith Academy, and host Five Day Clubs with Child Evangelism Fellowship. She spent many summers at the Association Retreat Center in Osceola WI as camp counselor and camp nurse. She also served at the ARC as the nurse for the Eden Prairie band camp for over 20 years. She was planning to serve this year as well, but was unable to due to her failing health. Family Camp at the ARC became an annual tradition, staying the week with some of her grandchildren. Kathy and Les enjoyed the friendship of many of their LBI friends. They got together at Mount Carmel each fall and enjoyed several outings with their close friends each year. They went on several bus tours together. Over the years Kathy went on several missions trips including to; Ecuador, India, Brazil, Mexico, and Naknek Alaska. Kathy enjoyed swimming, canoeing and gardening with her kids and the neighbor kids. Her church was very important to her and she cherished the love and friendship of the church women as they worked, studied and prayed together.
Kathy is preceded in death by her parents and sister Eileen; one infant daughter Ruth Marie and one infant son Phillip Scott.
Left to mourn are her husband Les, children Dan, Steve (Jen), Jon (Jill) and Sara; grandchildren: Ben, Vicky, Nicholas, Sadie, Elizabeth and Sam; sisters Shay and Lori; many nieces and nephews; Aunts Shirley and Alice; cousins, other family and many friends.

Funeral Services will be held at 1 PM Friday, September 4, 2015 at the Amery Free Lutheran Church with Pastor Eric Christenson officiating. Visitation will be held from 3 to 7 PM Thursday at the Williamson-White Funeral Home, 222 Harriman Avenue North Amery, WI 54001. Burial will be at the Balsam Lutheran Cemetery. To sign an online guest book and view a video tribute please visit
www.williamsonwhite.com

In lieu of flowers, memorial may be directed to Association Retreat Center for camper scholarships or to Association Free Lutheran Home Missions for Alaska.