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Gordon Carlson Obituary
Gordon L. Carlson, 90, of Rochelle, passed away Friday, February 24, 2017, at Serenity Hospice and Home in Oregon, IL. Gordon was born October 12, 1926, in Rockford, IL to Herman and Ellen (Brandt) Carlson. Gordon served in World War II and after the war, got his B.A. and Master's degree from Northern Illinois University in DeKalb, IL. He taught History at Rochelle Township High School for 37 years, retiring in 1998. Gordon married Rita Roerkohl of Rockford in 1952. She passed away in July 1998. He then married Leonce Kepner in May 2000. She preceded him in death in March 2010. He was an active member of the Rochelle Historical Society, Rochelle Garden Club, of which he was a founding member, and was involved with the Rochelle VFW, American Legion, and Presbyterian Thrift Store. He enjoyed gardening and golfing, was an avid Chicago White Sox fan, and traveled extensively with both of his wives. Gordon is survived by his children, Mary (Scott Vrhel) Carlson, Robert Jacobs, and Cyndi (SL) Higginbottom; 10 grandchildren, Holly (Jeremy Taylor) Vrhel, Alison (Rob) Schiff, Robert (Amanda Christenson) Jacobs, Lindsay (Aaron Lawin) Jacobs, Will (Catherine) Higginbottom, Sam (Jackie) Higginbottom, Logan (Dominic) DiGiovanni, Jake (Theresa) Higginbottom, Jonah (Lauren Kyser) Higginbottom, and Keziah Higginbottom; 13 great-grandchildren; four nieces; one nephew; and several great and great-great-nieces and nephews. Gordon was preceded in death by his parents; brothers, Ralph and Burdett; and grandson, USMC Sgt. Craig "Guppy" Higginbottom.
A gathering of family and friends will be held from 2 to 4 p.m. Saturday, April 1, 2017, at Hickory Grove Civic Center in Rochelle. Memorials have been established to the Rochelle Historical Society, Serenity Hospice and Home in Oregon, and Rockford Rescue Mission. Visit www.ungerhorner.com to sign the online guestbook.
To plant trees in memory, please visit the Sympathy Store.
Memories and Condolences
for Gordon Carlson
1 Entry
April 3, 2017
On behalf of my mother, Agnes Monks, I would like to say what a good and loyal friend Gordie was to our family and that we are sad to read of his passing. So many good times with Gordie & Rita in their younger years! Then, when Mom was widowed, he & Leonce would pick her up for dinner or to take in a play at Rockford College.
We will not forget him; his intelligence, his humor and his measured calm in the face of adversity. Truly a good man.
Barbara Metelka
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