Elise Carlson

Elise Christine Young Carlson Elise Christine Young Carlson was born on June 29, 1918, in Chicago, Illinois, to John William Young and Ada Holland Young. She died peacefully in her sleep in Oakland, California, on December 31, 2012 at age 94 1/2.
Elise, the middle of three children, had an older brother Bill and a younger sister Lillian. When Elise was growing up in Chicago both her parents worked daily at their business, JW Young Art Gallery. Elise spent her first two years of college at Carleton College in Northfield, Minnesota, and then transferred to the University of Chicago for her last two years, graduating (1940) in Biology. In their senior year, Elise met at the campus bookstore the love of her life, Jack Jay Carlson from California. While waiting behind him in line. Jack was a nickel short. She loaned him the nickel and they were married for 68 wonderful years.
In September 1944 they moved to California with the Kaiser Steel Corporation. In 1968 Jack was promoted to the President and CEO of Kaiser Steel. Elise and Jack made their home in Piedmont from 1962-1989. The City of Piedmont declared an official "Elise and Jack Carlson Day" for their philanthropic activities in the community. In 1989 they sold the family home and moved to an apartment in Oakland.
While Elise and Jack were raising their five children, Elise led an active life involved in her children's many activities. As the children grew up and married, she became an accomplished artist both on canvas and needlepoint. Elise joined several women's groups, a book group and an investment group called Goldfingers. She also became very involved in the Oakland Museum. Elise and Jack began taking many trips both for business and pleasure around the world, bringing back many treasures.
Elise was a member of Claremont Country Club, The Women's Athletic Club, and, for over 50 years, the Piedmont Community Church.
Elise's husband Jack died February 15, 2010. Elise is survived by three children, Susan Elise Carlson Moffett (David) of Mercer Island, WA, Jack Jay Carlson Jr. (Joanie) of Moraga, CA, and Martha Carlson Ryan (Greg) of Hillsborough, CA. She was pre-deceased by Elise "Christy" Carlson Anderson (Geoff) in 1990, and Sharon Carlson Crandall (Dale) in 2010. Elise, or "Nonnie" as she is called by the grandchildren, is survived by eleven grandchildren and twelve great grandchildren. Elizabeth Crandall Libby (David) and Andrea and Rebecca of Orinda, CA, Robert Crandall (Shadia) and Ella and Owen of Santa Monica, CA, Katharine Elise Moffett McDonald (Neil) and Ian and Elise of Mercer Island, WA, Stephen Lloyd-Moffett (Fiona) and Basil and Phineas of San Luis Obispo, CA, Elise Anderson Olson (Brent) and Shay (Elise) and Alec of Seattle, WA, Sarah Anderson Brune (Tom) and Paxton and Anders of Orinda, CA, Craig Anderson (fiancée Julianne) of Oakland, CA, Gregory Ryan Jr. of Burlingame, CA, Jack Carlson III of San Francisco, CA, Christina Ryan of San Francisco, CA and Tyler Carlson of Moraga, CA.
A private family service will be held. In lieu of flowers, contributions in Elise's honor are requested to Piedmont Community Church and the Oakland Museum of California.