Eilene Carlson

Eilene T. Carlson passed away October 31, 2023 in Omaha, Nebraska at the age of 75 years. She was born February 21, 1948 in Jamestown, North Dakota.

Eilene attended first grade in Erie, North Dakota and then the family moved to Fargo. She graduated with honors as part of the first graduating class of Fargo North High School in 1966 and following this, graduated from North Dakota State University with a Bachelor's Degree in Home Economics Education in the morning of May 29, 1970. That very evening, she was united in marriage to Mauritz Carlson.

Eilene taught Home Economics in Mohall, North Dakota until the birth of their daughter, Theresa. In 1972, she joined Mauritz in Worms, Germany, where he was stationed in the army. Because they lived on the German economy, she became fluent in speaking German. While there, she was the leader of a women's bible study.

In 1974, they returned to Sheyenne, North Dakota and she settled down as a full-time farmer's wife. Beginning in the 1980's, she became office manager for Flickertail Veterinary Service and later worked for Community Credit Union. She also briefly worked for the United States Postal Office.

At the age of 50, she returned to graduate school and received her Master's Degree at Northern State University in High School Counseling. She became the high school counselor at Four Winds High School in Fort Totten, North Dakota. After a brief retirement, she returned to teach Family Consumer Science at the alternative school at Four Winds High School. She retired once more from teaching to move to Omaha, Nebraska to assist in raising her three grandchildren after losing her son-in-law in 2014.

Eilene was a very active and involved person. She began playing the cello in the 4th grade and remained a musical inspiration to her family and others her entire life. She directed Sunday school music while playing the guitar, sang in many choirs, and frequently featured as a soloist. She was a 4H leader for 19 years and most recently, a member of the Bell Choir at Holy Cross Lutheran Church.

Eilene will always be remembered for her phenomenal cooking and baking, as well as painting, drawing, sewing, and her generosity.

Eilene is preceded in death by her parents, Leonard and Helen Ellis; son Erik Carlson; sister Donna Schurdevin; son-in-law Mark Howatt; and nephew Lee Schurdevin.

She is survived by her husband of 53 years, Mauritz Carlson; daughter Theresa (James) Howatt - Perry; grandchildren Hannah Howatt, Michael Howatt, and Alexander Howatt; sister Marilyn (John) Martinez; twin sister Elaine (Ken) Rogers; and nieces, nephews, and other family and friends.

MEMORIAL SERVICE Saturday, November 4, at 2:00pm at Good Shepherd L Street Chapel in Omaha, Nebraska as well as MEMORIAL SERVICE Tuesday, November 7, at 11:00am at Grace Lutheran Church in Sheyenne, North Dakota. Private Family Interment at a later date at Riverside Cemetery in Sheyenne, North Dakota. Memorials may be directed to the St. Jude Research Hospital.