Carlson: Shirley Jean, March 27, 1938 – July 8, 2019

Shirley Jean Carlson died peacefully July 8 at the age of 81 years. Shirley was born March 27, 1938, in Hanna, Alberta, the youngest of five children born to John and Eva Lillis Marlowe.

After completing her schooling in Hanna, she attended the University of Calgary, obtaining her teaching degree at the age of 18. This was also the age she started her first teaching job, all eight grades in a one-room school house at Greenmound, south of Oyen. Not long after she caught the eye of a handsome young man, Elmer Carlson, who lived a mere quarter mile away. Both smitten, they were married July 14, 1959.

Soon after, Elmer built his new bride a house and they started a family with Tim arriving in 1963 and Kelly in 1965. Shirley temporarily stopped teaching to raise her young family and help build the farm, later resuming her teaching at the Oyen Public School. Although Shirley’s teaching career ended, her concern for the education of the community’s children didn’t, and soon she was elected as a school trustee. This love continued throughout her life from adult learning to teaching her grandkids.

Shirley was always active, running three businesses, taking and teaching continuing education courses, volunteering for causes, all with an underlying love of her community and a desire to see the betterment of it and the people living here. She will be sadly missed.

Shirley is survived by her immediate family Tim and Mandy Carlson of Acadia Valley, Kelly Carlson and Jennifer Aspaas of Fort McMurray and Seattle, Washington; and grandchildren Ben, Charlene, Vaughn, Nicholas, Tayor-Rae, Dakota, McKenna and Curran.

She was predeceased by her beloved husband Elmer and all of her siblings Bill, Jack, Betty, and Marie.
Funeral Service was held Saturday, July 13, at the Oyen United Church in Oyen. Officiating Clergy was Rev. Helen Reed. A eulogy was given by Tim Carlson. Special music was provided by the Cappon County Crick Boys. Soloist was Robbie Shields, singing Amazing Grace and In the Garden. Pallbearers were Perry Yake, Frank Logan, Nicholas Melnikel, Ben Carlson, Curran Carlson, McKenna Carlson, and Jason McKee. Honorary Pallbearers were all of Shirley’s many family and friends who cared and shared in her life.

Memorial tributes may be directed to the Alberta Heart & Stroke Foundation, #124, 430 – 6th Ave SE, Medicine Hat, Alberta, T1A 2S8; Oyen & District Health Care Foundation, Box 150, Oyen, Alberta, T0J 2J0; or to a charity of the donor’s choice.

Following the funeral service, family and friends were invited to a luncheon hosted by the United Church in the Church.

MacLean’s Funeral Home of Oyen in care of arrangements.