STRATFORD, Iowa—Maxine Carlson, age 92 of Stratford, passed away on Monday, May 10, 2021 in Stratford after a lengthy journey with dementia.
Funeral Service will be held at 2:00 P.M. on Thursday, May 13, 2021 at the First Baptist Church in Stratford with Pastor Jim Mead officiating. The service will be available via Facebook Live at facebook.com/1sfibc. Visitation will be held from 12:00 P.M. until the time of service. Burial will be in the South Marion Cemetery in rural Stratford.
Maxine Geneva (Wood) Carlson was born on November 18, 1928 in Cushman, Arkansas, the daughter of John and Dovie (Clark) Wood. The family moved from AR to CO on to AZ. She graduated from Mesa High School in 1948.
In 1948 while attending a Valentine’s Day party at a local Baptist church, Maxine met a young man that was down in AZ after being discharged from the military. The two had a connection and wrote letters to each other between Stratford, IA and Mesa, AZ. One year later on February 14, 1949, Maxine was united in marriage with Robert L. Carlson in Mesa, AZ. Maxine moved back to Stratford to help Bob farm and start their lives together.
Maxine was always staying busy. She would rise early in the morning to take a walk and finish the day off with one too. She sewed clothes for the boys and grandkids, cooked and baked the best molasses and peanut butter cookies. She enjoyed gardening anything and everything but always had to have flowers around her house, her favorite being irises. In earlier years, Maxine and Bob loved to go square dancing together.
Maxine was a member of the First Baptist Church in Stratford for 72 years. She was active in her church community, including Auxiliary, being President of the Band Council, a member of the choir (as she loved to sing and music was a large part of her Christian journey). Maxine was always beaming with a smile and living for Jesus. Her faith was number one in her life.
Maxine worked at the Stratford Elementary School for a number of years as a cook, as a retirement job after her boys were grown. She loved to get to know the little ones and watch them grow up. Children brought such joy to Maxine, especially her grandchildren, two boys and two girls.
Maxine was preceded in death by her parents; her beloved husband, Robert “Bob” Carlson in 2006; and her four brothers. She is survived by her sons, Micheal (Konnie) Carlson of Boone and Clarke Carlson of Stratford; grandchildren, Stacey (John) Ragsdale, Katie Carlson, Brad Carlson and Shawn Carlson.
Funeral arrangements are under the direction of the Schroeder-Reimers Memorial Chapel at Sixth and Marshall Streets in Boone. Online condolences may be left to Maxine’s family at www.schroedermemorialchapel.com. In lieu of flowers, memorial donations may be directed to the Maxine Carlson Family.
Maxine Carlson, 92, Stratford, Iowa.
