Jennie Carlson

Jennie V. Hanson Carlson was born on February 5, 1926 on the farm at Glenham, SD and died on June 29, 2025 at Volante in Reno, NV. She married Norris J. Carlson on September 23, 1950 and they had two children, David in 1953 and Darlys in 1956.

Jennie was a very creative teacher. For many years, she taught all grades in a one-room school house, and her students won numerous awards in the state of South Dakota. She also taught music at the Glenham High School. After her own children were born, Jennie started teaching piano lessons to as many as 40 students at a given time. Regarded as a beloved piano teacher, she retired from teaching piano in 1989.

Faith and service were central to Jennie’s life, and she dedicated much of her time to the Lutheran Church. Working as a secretary in the church office, she also taught Sunday School, directed and sang in church choirs, and played the organ for services. This dedication continued well into her 80s, when, for the 6 years she lived at Edgewood Vista, she played organ for Sunday morning worship. Throughout her life, Jennie enjoyed volunteering and was a caregiver at heart.

After retiring, Jennie and her husband Norris traveled throughout the United States for 20 years until they moved to Edgewood Vista in Fargo, ND. They enjoyed staying at their timeshare in Detroit Lakes every year for their anniversary and would travel to California each year during the winter to spend time in Palm Springs. These trips always involved spending time with family and friends, as well as seeing the sites. After Norris passed away, Jennie moved to Reno, NV where her son David lived.

Jennie is survived by her son David L. Carlson (Linda), her daughter Darlys Carlson McDonald (Marvin), grandchildren Shanna Carlson de la Torre (Osvaldo), Elisa Grossenbacher (Yoran), Nathan McDonald (Candyce), and Christopher McDonald (Alissa), and great grandchildren Julian McDonald and Theodore McDonald. Those who preceded her in death were her parents Alfred and Anna Hanson, stepmother Marie Hanson, all 11 of her sisters and brothers, and granddaughters Melissa Carlson and Andresa Carlson.

Funeral services are being held at Lutheran Church of the Cross in Bismarck, ND on July 12, 2025 at 2:00 p.m. Jennie will be buried with her husband Norris in the Veterans Memorial Cemetery in Mandan, ND.