Kathleen L. (Stiles) Carlson

Kathleen L. (Stiles) Carlson, 73, Rockford, was borne to Everlasting life at 11:01pm June 14, 2018 at OSF Medical Center, surrounded by family, following a lengthy illness. Born to life Nov. 2, 1944 in Rockford, daughter of James Rendall and Margaret Anita (Dalton) Stiles. Married David C. Carlson, in St Peter’s Cathedral, Nov.22, 1969. Graduated from Bishop Muldoon High School in 1962, and the University of Wisconsin- Platteville in 1969, with a BA degree. She received a scholarship to attend the University of Dijon in France, and Oxford University in England. She was awarded 2 Master’s Degrees, in 1988 and 2003, in Curriculum Instruction and Design Technology. She completed credits for 2 Doctorate Degrees thru the partnership of the National Science Foundation and NIU. She taught for 47 years in the Rockford Public School District #205, High School English and Reading at Rockford West, Auburn, and Roosevelt Alternative High School. She was an active member of Alpha Theta Chi, Gamma Phi Beta, and Phi Delta Kappa. She was elected Precinct Committeeman in the Rockford Township and served for 17 years. She was active in St. James Parish, serving on the Parish Council, as a Lay Lector, and Chair of PTO. She also did various volunteer work in the community.
Her most important accomplishment was raising her 3 children. Survivors include her children Shane Carlson, Erin (Charlie) Philpott and Sara (David) Murray, and her adorable, talented, and precocious granddaughter, Olivia Evelyn Philpott, her brothers and sisters, Mary Beth (Terry) Hileman, Jane (W. Timothy) Simms, James R. (Sherry) Stiles, Maggie (Steve) Yates, John Stiles, Lori (Larry) Cass, Chuck (Mary) Stiles, Lou (Beth) Stiles, Tom (Jody) Stiles, and Julie (Kristopher) Downey, her God child, Michael J. Stiles, nieces and nephews, great nieces and nephews, great-great nephew, and her brother-in-law, Bob Gille.
She was predeceased by her husband David, her parents, her sister Roberta (Stiles) Gille, sister Sally Ann Stiles, and her great- niece Anita Constance Stiles.
Many thanks to her sister from another mother, Janet (Schrom) Kloweit, 68 years, and her forever friends of 61 years, Jean (Sterner) Palmeri, Mary (Mihm) Scott, and Jo (Parker) Smith. Most important Mr. Gary Bartell, long-time friend (55 years) and companion. Thank you to the many doctors and nurses for their compassionate care over the course of her illness.
Funeral Mass will be held on Friday, June 22, 2018 at 10:00 a.m. at St. James Catholic Church 428 N. 2nd St., Rockford. Visitation will be Thursday from 5:00 p.m. until 7:30 p.m. at Fitzgerald Funeral Home, Riverside Chapel, 3910 N. Rockton Av., Rockford, and from 9:00 a.m. until 9:45 a.m. Friday at the church. Burial in Scandinavian Cemetery. Arrangements by Fitzgerald Funeral Home. Memorials can be made to the family to establish a scholarship for Auburn High School Students attending UW-Platteville. To express online condolences, please visit: www.fitzgeraldfh.com.