Alice Marie Carson

Alice Carson, 89, of Colton died Friday, July 16, 2010 at Avera McKennan Hospital in Sioux Falls.

Funeral services will be 10:30 AM Tuesday, July 20, 2010 at First Lutheran Church, Colton. Burial will follow in the Minnehaha Lutheran Cemetery, rural Colton. Visitation with the family present will be from 6-8:00 PM Monday at the church.

Alice Marie Carson was born to parents Herbert and Anna (Arvidson) Hanson January 21, 1921 on the family homestead in Benton Township near Crooks. She grew up in that community surrounded by many fellow Swedish relatives and friends. She was baptized and confirmed at Benton Lutheran Church. She attended Byg Country School followed by graduation from Lyons High School in 1939. Alice married Walter Carson August 1, 1943 at Benton Lutheran Church. They moved to the Carson homestead where they farmed until Walt’s retirement, then continued to live at the farm for their 51 years of marriage. Alice treasured her home and grounds, living on the farm her remaining years.

Faith, family, food and flowers were always an important part of Alice’s life. She started her cooking career at Lyons School in 1963. In 1965 she continued in the food industry at the bakery division and later as head cook at the central kitchen of Sunshine Food Markets. Retirement in 1983 led to more time for new hobbies and travel. Alice loved sharing her flowers, raspberry jelly, lemon pies and Christmas breads. Since 1943, she was a very active member of First Lutheran Church, Colton. She was also an avid sports and music booster of Tri-Valley events.

Grateful for having shared her life are her four daughters and their husbands, Linda & Ken Benson, Crooks; Carol & Jim Keeley, Aberdeen; Donna & Charlie Jones, Hartford; Judy & Jim Frost, Rapid City; eleven grandchildren, Lori (Bob) Potratz, Mike (Lisa) Benson, Charlie (MacKenzie) Keeley, Erin Keeley, Chris (Becky) Jones, Alison Jones, Erika (Luke) Gorecki, Matthew Jones, Jared Jones, Madeline Frost, Claire Frost, seven great grandchildren; a brother, Harvey Hanson, Crooks; sisters in law, Fran Hanson, Lake Benton, MN and Lorraine (Orlando) Erickson, Baltic; nieces, nephews and many other relatives and friends.

She was preceded in death by her parents, three brothers, Arnold, Harry, and Wendell and her loving husband Walt on January 3, 1995.