Frances L. Carlson

Frances L. Carlson

Cedar Rapids

Frances L. Carlson, 101, passed away peacefully on Friday, Dec. 16, 2022.

Fran was born in Bluffton Township, Iowa on Jan. 29, 1921, to Frank and Rose (Mailey) Hayes. Fran was a member of the 1940 Decorah High School graduation class.

Fran and her husband, Arthur, were part of the “greatest generation.” They were married in 1941 in St. Benedict’s Catholic Church, in Decorah, Iowa. In July of 1942 Arthur was inducted into the army and spent three years as a radar technician, serving in the South Pacific-Solomon Islands Campaign. During that time Fran worked at the Midland Factory in Decorah assembling radar screens used by naval vessels during World War II.

In 1955 the family moved from Decorah to Cedar Rapids, Iowa. Fran worked for many years at Turner Microphone and continued her career at Mercy Hospital, where she retired in 2000, at age 79. She loved to share many stories about her time at Turner Microphone and Mercy and the many friends she made.

Fran loved the little things that life offered and gave generously to her family and friends. She enjoyed her vegetable garden for years, planting flowers, baking cookies for the grandkids and a good thin crust pizza with a Ruthie beer.

Frances was preceded in death by her husband, Arthur Carlson; six brothers, Dale, Emmett, Leo, Leonard, Billy and Gene Hayes.

Survivors include three children, Jacqueline (Bill) Moore, of Savannah, Ga., Dean (Maxine) Carlson, of Wesley Chapel, Fla., and Mark (Karen) Carlson of Palo, Iowa; nine grandchildren, Lisa (Joe) Loya, Tracey (Mark) Sargent, Scott (Laura) Carlson, Molly (Shane) O’Brien, Monica (Dan) Freiburger, Matt (Hillary) Carlson, Kendyl (Tommy) Polson, Connor Carlson and Colton Carlson; 12 great-grandchildren; three great-great-grandchildren; former daughter-in-law, Paty Carlson; and sister, Rosemary Ingram of Lebanon, Mo.

Funeral services will be held at 11 a.m. Thursday, Dec. 22, at the Cedar Memorial Park Chapel of Memories, with a visitation starting at 10 a.m., with the Certified Celebrant Randy Walton officiating. Interment to follow at the Cedar Memorial Park Cemetery-Memorial Lawn.

In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be made in her name to the Veterans of Foreign Wars, 104 State St., Decorah, IA 52101.

The family would like to thank the entire staff at the Hallmark Care Center and Essence of Life Hospice for the love and support they showed Fran, while she was in their care.