In Loving Memory of Clara Carlson
Clara Carlson was called to meet her Lord and Saviour Jesus Christ on Thursday, April 30th at 3:28pm in her 87th year. She is survived by her loving husband, Leon, and her children, Terry, and Leone. Their spouses Margaret (daughter in law), and Sebastian (son in law) her grandbabies, Anders and Alexandria Carlson and, Haydin, Addyson and Delaney Socha as well as her great grandbaby Caleb. Her sisters, Grace Huckabay, Flora Fenn (Denzil), Mona Stone (Robert) and Jacqueline Temple. Her Brother in Law, Dennis Carlson (Eileen). She is also survived by many Nieces, Nephews, Relatives and Friends. Clara will be excited to see her Mom, (Davita Hartley) and Dad (John Hartley) and sisters and their husbands - Leslie, George Temple, Elva and Bill Burr, Ken Huckabay, and Eleanor and Alvin Ness in Heaven.
Clara was born to John and Davita Hartley near Moosomin, Saskatchewan on February 1st, 1933. She was the third oldest of 8 girls. She grew up in a 2 room house with her sisters and parents. While she was in high school Clara played on the girl’s hockey team for the town of Moosomin - Moosomin Legionettes. Summer consisted of working at a kids camp as a leader and councillor and from there she went to Bible School and then worked at a bank in the same town.
In 1963 Clara met her husband, Leon, at Elim Pentecostal church where he was invited by a friend of the family - Ruth Stellmacker. That one invite changed both Leon and Clara’s lives forever. On a hill overlooking Drumheller Leon proposed to Clara. They were married on August 31 of that same year. They lived in Drumheller for a while with her sister, Eleanor and husband, Alvin. Soon they found their own place and moved into a small apartment.
Leon worked for Alberta Power and got transferred to Forestburg - this is where their son was born. Years later, they decided to have another child, so Leone was welcomed into their lives. As a couple, they got involved with the church there. They took care of the church, the upkeep, and teaching during Sunday school. This involvement followed them to Grande Prairie where, as a couple, they took responsibility for many areas of service as well.
Clara went on to work for a lawyer in Grande Prairie and then for the “Booster” newspaper. All of this while she worked hard at home as well. She was an avid breadmaker - often making 25 loaves at a time, a cook, canner of veggies and fruit and even made jam. Gardening was a love of hers as well. This stayed with her from a very young age where she helped her Mom with the garden at home.
Another transfer to Edmonton and they started to attend Millwoods Pentecostal Assembly (now Hope City church). They found their church home there and Clara started teaching Sunday School. She taught for many years, then went to help administratively. During this time she babysat a few special children in her home then went onto the Patient Support Center for the University of Alberta hospital until she retired.
Clara was a woman that others felt they could confide in. She welcomed people into the church and into her heart. She was great for talking and holding your hand - her way of letting you know that she was genuinely interested in what you were saying. Many a conversation happened with hands held with many things discussed.
All this time Clara served her Lord, in all that she said and did. She was a shining light to all who saw her and knew her. The decisions that she made in life revolved around prayer and she would make sure she was always there to support her husband and her children. She taught us that: prayer needs to be the center of your decisions, church is a staple for a God-centred life, your children are your biggest responsibility, apologies and forgiveness are needed always, and to love your family unconditionally.
Please note that a Memorial for Clara will be held in the upcoming months, when we are physically able to accommodate it. As this journey happened for Clara at such an unusual time we still want to celebrate her life, but also make sure that we are following all the needed social arrangements. We will try our best to let all we know about plans, but would appreciate your help in this as well to pass on information to others as well. Thank you so much.
In memory of Clara, memorial donations are gratefully accepted to:
JOE’S PLACE YOUTH CENTRE: HELPING YOUTH REACH THEIR FULL POTENTIAL BY OFFERING…
Safe, fun & chem-free Drop-In nights, healthy meals for hungry youth, young moms support group, sponsorship to camps, retreats, daytrips & outings, Voltage New Year’s Eve party, mentorship & work skills training, including prop & costume building, acting and movie making. And right now, we are offering online youth programming to ensure our youth stay busy and upbeat.
-go to www.jpyc.org and click on the “Donate Now” button which takes you to our secure Canada Helps page.
-etransfer to donate@jpyc.org. Send a separate email with the password and your full name and address for tax receipt purposes.
-mail a cheque to Joe’s Place Youth Centre, 402 Main St. N., Moose Jaw, SK S6H 3K2
In lieu of flowers, memorial donations can be directed to support the Myasthenia Gravis Clinic at the University of Alberta Hospital, c\o the University Hospital Foundation, 8440-112 St NW, Edmonton, AB T6G 2B7. www.GiveToUHF.ca
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