Jessie Carlson Obituary

JESSIE JANE CARLSON (NEE LAX) GROVERTOWN, IN

Jessie Carlson, 69, passed away at home on December 17, 2009. She was born on August 14, 1940 in East Chicago, IN to Forest and Mary (nee Budnyk) Lax. She married Roger Carlson in 1960 and they moved to Plymouth, IN in 1971. Jessie worked for the Head Start Program in Plymouth for over 20 years and retired in 2004. She was a member of the Evangelical Covenant Church in Donaldson, IN. Jessie had a passion for travel and went to Florida every February to keep her spirits up. Over the years, she visited Paris, France, Venice, the island of Cypress, Puerto Rico, Havana Cuba, and Viet Nam. Jessie was preceded in death by her husband, Roger in 2005 and her parents. She is survived by her siblings: Marian (Lax) Hoffman of South Bend, IN, Donald (Teresa) Lax of Crown Point, IN, Jay (Helen) Lax of Hammond, IN and Patsy (Lax) Ryan of Chesterton; In- laws: Carolyn (Carlson) Vinovich of FL and Leonard (Nancy) Carlson of LaPorte; children: Eric (Jasmin) Carlson of Plymouth, IN, Len (Brenda) Carlson of Plymouth, IN and Dawn Carlson (Gregg Grubb) of Angola, IN; grandchildren: Kale, Kate and Ken Carlson, Morgan, McKenzie and Claire Grubb; one great grandchild, Mylee Jane Grubb and many nieces and nephews. Jessie had a loving and courageous spirit that will be greatly missed. She loved spending time with her family and found a reason to enjoy every day. She lived her life with dignity and grace that her family will aspire to in years to come. Jessie wanted to make a difference in the fight against cancer and she donated her body to the I.U. Medical School for cancer research. There will be a Celebration of Life Memorial Service at the Evangelical Covenant Church in Donaldson, IN on Sunday, December 20, 2009 at 4:00 p.m. Eastern Time. In lieu of flowers, Jessie requested that everyone perform a random act of kindness: smile at a stranger, take a friend to lunch, or do something to make someone's day a little brighter.

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Published by The Times from Dec. 18 to Dec. 19, 2009.

Memories and Condolences
for Jessie Carlson

9 Entries

December 29, 2009

Jessie and I were really good friends in high school and had a real infinity for each other. I was devestated when I learned of her cancer. I regret not being able to be closer to her and her children. I originally fixed her up with Roger and we double dated to the drive in theater. She married Roger a few months before I married Les Turoci.
We moved away to California and we lost touch. We reconnected in the last couple of years. She was a wonderful, witty and loving lady. I will never forget her.
Marsha (Burrell) Winters

Sharon Mastey Kielbasa

December 19, 2009

To the Carlson and Lax Families:

Jess and I were best friends in High School. She was one of the bravest, kindest, caring persons I have known. I had the privilege of saying "goodbye" at her Celebration of Life. She expressed only her concern for me and my family. I love you Jess. May your family find comfort and peace in knowing how much you were loved by so many.

December 19, 2009

To Carlson and Lax Families

With my deepest sympathy to all.

Ramute Steikunas-Bergstrom

Donna Lax

December 19, 2009

My sympathy to Jessie's Family. May memories comfort you.

Allan Johnson

December 19, 2009

To the Carlson & Lax families

Jessie was the first girl I ever dated. It was our freshman year. Someone told me, that Jessie thought I was cute. Well, that gave me the courage to call Jessie on the phone and ask her out. I believe, we went out every Saturday for quite a few months. Jessie became my "steady." She had a ring to prove it. Jessie was special. A very kind person. I will always have great thoughts of her.

Anne-Marie Such-Kuczora

December 18, 2009

Our Jessie -- she was such an imp! We had lots of laughs in school. Jessie was so full of fun, yet so caring and concerned about others' feelings. Her kindness was evident during our (too few) visits with her last year and this year. Her heart was truly full of love for all. Gonna miss ya, babe.

Jack Friedland

December 18, 2009

To the Carlson and Lax families:

My thoughts and prayers are with you in your time of grief. May your memories bring you comfort.

Janet Trenka Bercik

December 18, 2009

Dear Carlson & Lax Family,
Jessie was a schoolmate of mine since Franklin. We went to kindergarten together, belonged to the Girl Scouts, and graduated from WHS. The one thing that Jessie never lost over these years was her sense of humor, her smile, her gentleness, and her kindness and consideration of others.
I am sure she will be missed by you, but she left a wonderful legacy in her person. May God bring you strength and know that she is watching over you smiling.
Deepest sympathy,

Amy Wozniak

December 18, 2009

To the entire Carlson family,
My deepest sympathies to you on the loss of Jessie. I enjoyed the times Wally and I spent with her and Roger at the farm. She was a truly wonderful person. I am so sorry for your loss.

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