Lois Mae Carlson

Lois Mae Carlson, 73, passed away on June 2, 2013 at Kavanagh House. Services will be held on Friday, June 7, 2013 at 10:00 a.m. at Lutheran Church of Hope, 925 Jordan Creek Parkway, West Des Moines, IA. Visitation will be held the night before from 6 to 8 pm at Hamilton’s on Westown Parkway, 3601 Westown Parkway in West Des Moines.

Lois was born on May 16, 1940 in Hoskins, NE to Marguerite (Spangler) and Arnold Janke. She grew up on a farm near Wayne, NE and graduated from Winside High School in 1957 and Drake University in 1980. She continued her education at the University of the Rockies and was a certified Pre-School Director. Lois met Gordon Carlson in Wausa, NE where she had her first teaching contract. The couple was married December 29, 1961 and celebrated 51 years together this past year. The couple followed Gordon’s career to Texas, Nebraska, Iowa, Ohio, and Colorado. Lois spent most of her career as the Director of the southern Denver Kindercare program.

She also enjoyed cross stitch, crewel/embroidery, quilting, reading, her flowers, cooking, playing cards, singing in choirs, and people. Lois and Gordon retired to Branson, MO, at Table Rock Lake before returning to Des Moines and Arizona in 2006.

Lois is survived by her husband, Gordon Carlson; children, Anne Kratz, Ava (Bill) Hiskey and Joey (Anette) Carlson; grandchildren, Jennifer (David) Flinders, Bryan Kratz, Madison and Britton Hiskey; brothers, Robert (Marie) Janke, Phillip (Kathy) Janke; sister, Eunice (Alan) Johnson; and numerous nieces and nephews. She was preceded in death by her parents and her brother, Dennis.

Memorials may be directed to Lutheran Church of Hope, West Des Moines, or to Desert Hills Lutheran Church in Green Valley, Arizona.

Condolences may be expressed at:
www.HamiltonsFuneralHome.com

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