F. Carlson

F. Joan "Jo" Carlson, age 85, of Willmar, died Saturday morning, March 7, at the St. Cloud Hospital.

A memorial service will be held 2 PM Tuesday, March 10, at St. John's Lutheran Church in rural Pennock. Burial will be at a later date at the Fairview Cemetery in Willmar. Visitation will be from noon until time of service at the church. Arrangements are with Peterson Brothers Funeral Home in Willmar.

Fern Joan Carlson "Jo" was born on December 31, 1929 in Willmar to Leander and Nora (Robbs) Hawks. She spent much of her life in the Willmar area, graduating from Willmar Senior High. On April 9, 1949 Jo was united in marriage to Eldon "Eldy" Carlson in Willmar. They shared 64 years of marriage together and were blessed with four children, Kathy, Karen, Bill and Mike. Much of her adult life Jo was a homemaker, but later on she was a school crossing guard and school cook in the Willmar Public Schools. She also managed the Tom Thumb Store on First Street in Willmar. But without question her favorite "job" was that of Wife, Mother, Grandmother and Great-Grandmother. Having her family together brought her the greatest of joy. Be it camping in the summer, holiday celebrations, or simply special visits, Jo was most happy to have all her "little chicks" home and accounted for. She also loved her pet cats and any pet in the family. Jo passed away peacefully and surrounded by her loving family on March 7. She left this world knowing where she was going and who she would be reunited with, and the family is comforted knowing that she was surrounded by her Lord and loved ones on both sides of her journey.

She is survived by her 4 children: Kathy (and Gary) Swanson of New London, Karen (and Pat) Thibault of Willmar, Bill (and Mary) Carlson of Hutchinson and Reverend Mike (and Sara) Carlson of Willmar. Also surviving are her 8 grandchildren: Amy (and Shane) Baker, Mike (and Marcia) Swanson, Cassandra Swanson, Alecia (and Travis) Sammons, Nora Carlson, Benjamin, Brianna and Bradyn Carlson, 7 great-grandchildren: Sheridan and McKenna Baker, MaKayla, Mason and Mattix Swanson, Drevan Swanson and Kendrick Donnerson. 1 sister Jean (and Ron) Larson of Mesa, AZ, and 4 sisters-in-law; Jean Hawks of Cannon Falls, Alyce Bergstrand of New Hampshire, Ione Ekblad of Willmar, and Irene Nelson of New London and many nieces and nephews, besides other relatives and friends

She was proceeded in death by her parents, her husband Eldy in 2013, great grandson Jeremiah Baker, and three Angel great-grandbabies, her sister, Flo Robertson, and 3 brothers; Lloyd, Floyd and Frank Hawks.

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