Memorial services for Edna Carlson will be held Monday, Dec. 13, at 2 p.m. at Oak Harbor Lutheran Church with Pastor Laurie Johnson officiating. A private family graveside service at Maple Leaf Cemetery will precede the service. Visitation will be held at Burley Funeral Chapel Monday, Dec. 13, from 9 to 11:30 a.m.

Edna Carlson was born April 2, 1924, in Clear Lake to Percy and Effie Calkins. Her family followed the work her father did in shake mills, but eventually settled in Ballard where Edna first met Lennart at the age of 14. It appeared to be a match made in heaven. On her 16th birthday Lennart gave Edna a blue gown and from that moment the song “Alice Blue Gown” became her favorite. Edna graduated from Ballard High School and later married Lennart Jan. 31, 1942, in Ballard.

Edna and Lennart moved to Oak Harbor in 1968 where she later went to work for Gerald’s Jewelry. Edna was a valued employee for 12 years and thoroughly enjoyed her work. She was known for her love of jewelry and fine things, in fact it is rumored that she took home very few paychecks because she would spend her earnings on jewelry.

Edna was a member of Oak Harbor Lutheran Church and Esther Circle. She loved her church family and the dinners she prepared for Esther Circle.

Later in life Edna and Lennart took up motorcycle riding. She could be seen on the back of their touring motorcycle in her red leather and loving it. Together they put on more than 100,000 miles traveling around the country … not what you would picture of a fastidiously dressed lady with a passion for nice clothing and jewelry.

Edna Carlson died Dec. 8, 2004, at the home of her daughter in Olympia after an extended illness. She is survived by Lennart, her husband of more than 62 years, a brother, Dale (Judy) Calkins of Lynden, a sister-in-law Pauline Carlson of Mount Vernon, and a daughter and son-in-law Gail and George Korsak of Olympia. She is also survived by three grandchildren: Richard (Tiffany) Conards, Michael (Wendy) Conards and Denise Hauck all of Olympia, along with five great-grandchildren: Tyler Conards, Mitchel Conards, Kylee Ann Conards, Dustin Hauck and Mariah Hauck.

In lieu of flowers, memorials may be sent to Oak Harbor Lutheran Church Memorial Fund or The Spastic Paraplegia Foundation.

Funeral arrangements were entrusted to Burley Funeral Chapel.