Aileen Carlson

Aileen Elizabeth Carlson died on Sunday, April 25, 2010, in Scottsdale, AZ, with her son Dean at her side. Services will be held at 11:30 am Saturday, May 1, 2010, at First Lutheran Church, Bismarck, with Rev. Allen Wagner officiating. Burial will be held in Fairview Cemetery, Bismarck. Visitation will be held from 2:00 pm until 9:00 pm Friday at Eastgate Funeral Service, Bismarck. Visitation will continue one hour prior to the service at the church. Aileen was born on October 2, 1920, in Marmarth, ND, to Charles and Mae Hughes Bock. She graduated from Marmarth High School and moved to Bismarck where she attended Capital Commercial College. It was during this time that she met Waldo Carlson and they were married on April 6, 1940.During their early married years, Aileen and Waldo lived in Seattle, WA, where they welcomed their only son. Moving back to ND during World War II, they lived on their farm southwest of Mandan for a while and Aileen taught at the country school. They eventually settled in Bismarck where Aileen was a housewife and homemaker. She was an excellent cook and seamstress and sewed beautiful outfits for her three little girls. She also enjoyed nights out with Waldo, especially when she could dress up with her high heels and go dancing with her husband. In January 1958 as a mother of 4 teen and preteen children, Aileen suffered a stroke after gallbladder surgery and was left paralyzed on her left side. She came home from her extended stay at the hospital unable to walk or talk and the family was told she would probably never recover. Aileen was determined to prove them wrong and she eventually walked, talked, drove a car, and took care of her home once again. She also danced with Waldo again, although not with her high heels! Aileen loved playing bridge at the Municipal Country Club, the Elks, and at the home of friends. She especially enjoyed traveling with her bridge friends to numerous bridge tournaments in neighboring states and Canada. She and Waldo also enjoyed many weekends camping and fishing on the Missouri River. In their later years, Aileen, Waldo, and Dean spent many winter months in the Southwest until Waldo's death in 2006 and after that she traveled with Dean. They have met and enjoyed many wonderful friends during this time, especially in Laughlin, NV. Although her body wasn't always cooperative, she continued to love to travel and was always ready to go. Thankful to be a part of her life are her son, Dean Carlson, Bismarck; her daughters, Janice Harlo Thon, Bismarck, and Sharon Larry Thorne, Billings, MT, and her son-in-law, Bob Deb Anderson, Little Falls, MN; her grandchildren, Kara Pete Cockfield, Petoskey, MI, Michael Thorne, Billings, MT, Andrea Emerson Brian Beckert, Bismarck, Erik Alison Anderson, St.Louis Park, MN, Matthew Carole Thon, Reno, NV, and Richard Thorne, Bozeman, MT; and her great grandchildren Justin, Andrew, Walker, Skylar, Aiden, Jack, Liam, Anthony, Anna, Ray and Max. Aileen was preceded in death by her husband, Waldo; her daughter, Bonnie Anderson; her parents, Charles and Mae Bock; and her sisters, Leona Swedlund and Doris Flor Stanhope. Aileen left us in the Southwest, where she was spending the winter months thanks to her son, Dean. Janice and Sharon and Aileen's family are forever grateful to Dean for the wonderful care he gave our Mother these last years. We love you Mom. Rest in Peace.

Aileen Carlson

October 2, 1920 - April 25, 2010