Mary Louise Carlson

Published 7:58 am Friday, August 3, 2018

May 24, 1939 – July 29, 2018

Mary Louise Carlson was born on May 24, 1939, in Alexandria, South Dakota, to Rachael Lehnert (Matteson) and Robert Lehnert.

Soon after Mary Louise was born, she moved with her parents to Newberg, Oregon, in order to join extended family and for work opportunities. They made one final move to Seattle, Washington, and made that their final home. Mary Louise grew up with three younger brothers, Jim, Bob, and Jay Lehnert.

Mary Louise attended Holy Angels Academy, an all-girls Catholic school, and graduated in 1957. Following high school she attended Seattle University, graduating with a Bachelor of Science in Nursing.

While participating at a social event during her nursing practicum at American Lake in Lakewood, Washington, and just before getting ready to leave for her next practicum in Spokane, Washington, Mary Louise met the love of her life who also happened to be living in Spokane. She and Merle Carlson were married on May 5, 1962, in Spokane. Two years later they moved back to Merle’s hometown of Culver, Oregon, and began farming. Soon after, their son Scott was born April 18, 1965, and then their daughter Karen was born July 7, 1966.

Mary Louise loved being a mom first. She was very involved in her children’s lives, making home a wonderful place to be, but she also had many other personal and professional interests. She was a talented artist who specialized in capturing the beautiful scenery around her in her paintings. She had the unique experience of sharing her work in an art show held in New York City and also had the honor of having one of her most well-known paintings, aptly named “Sentinels of the Desert,” commissioned and placed in the Oregon State Governor’s office. In addition, she later earned her Master’s in Counseling, dedicating her time helping abused and battered women for whom she had a tremendous heart. Mary Louise had a passionate faith in Jesus Christ and was ordained as a minister, leading a church in the mountains of Troy, Oregon, for many years. She loved and served others and over the years many lives were influenced by her teaching, love, and support. There were not enough days to fulfill all of Mary Louise’s interests and dreams.

Mary Louise is survived by her husband, Merle Carlson, her two children, Scott Carlson (Elisa) and Karen Eckart (John), her grandchildren, Haley Grant, Colin Grant, Traver Carlson and Avery Carlson, her three brothers, James Lehnert (Joana), Robert Lehnert (Gloria), and Jay Lehnert (Martha) plus many, many nieces and nephews and dear friends.

There will be a service at 1:00pm on Friday, August 3, 2018, at St. Thomas Catholic Church in Redmond, Oregon, with a reception and celebration of life following the service. In lieu of flowers, please make donations to the Central Christian School Legacy Annual Fund for student tuition grants. Please sign the online guestbook at redmondmemorial.com.