Marguerite S. Carlson

Marguerite S. Carlson
1923 - 2018
Magie Carlson, who passed away on April 1st at Rockford Mercyhealth Hospital, will be remembered for her faith, grace and kindness. Her sweet smile, caring compassion and thoughtfulness will be missed by all those she touched whether it was just a single encounter or a life long friend. She always made time for any one she felt needed some extra care.

She left her footprint on the plains of Oklahoma where she was born and raised. An Oklahoman at heart, she loved her family and the memories of her adventures during her youth and early adulthood. She was very close to her sisters and brother, Florene, Bud and Opal & her nieces and nephews. Even though she was not able to visit as often as she wanted, she remained active in the lives of the Heim family.

It was also in Enid, Oklahoma that she met her cherished husband, Bob, who was in the pilot pool for reassignment at the Enid Army Air Base. She worked as a Western Union communications officer in the office at the base and after a few interactions, it was fate that they spend the next 72 years together.

Moving to Rockford, the newlyweds set up their home and had 3 daughters. Magie was a dedicated mother who gave her daughters her gifts of her faith, compassion and fun. She made beautiful clothes for them and herself – skills that she learned from her mother and grandmother.

When her grandson Lucas was born, she focused her love and attention on him. Imagining & making Halloween costumes, baking cookies and telling stories when he was little. This filled her time and heart. When Lucas was a teacher, she baked hundreds of cookies for his underserved students, packed them in a suitcase and flew to New York to manage ‘the cookie exchange’. She and Lucas are probably having adventures even now.

She had many talents. She enjoyed playing the piano, sewing, baking and throwing awesome backyard neighborhood parties. She sang in Our Savior’s Lutheran choir and was an active participant in the church. She loved to ride horses, even at age 80. She reveled in the Cubs World Series win and loved to follow Michael Jordan and Tiger Woods.

She passed away on Easter Sunday, which was the most sacred of holidays to her. She said goodbye to her husband Bob and daughters Sue, Jean and Cindy. She will be missed by her sister Opal, son-in-law Dennis, grandchildren, great and great-great grandchildren, nephews and nieces and their families.

Magie’s family would like to extend their sincere thanks to the staff at CherryVale Place, Mercyhealth Hospital and Fitzgerald’s Funeral Home and Our Savior’s Lutheran Church. In lieu of flowers, the family asks that you donate to the Magie Carlson Memorial Fund, Our Savior’s Lutheran Church, 3300 Rural Street, Rockford, IL 61107.

A memorial & celebration service is planned for Wednesday, April 11th at 11:00 am at Our Savior’s Lutheran Church, Rockford, IL, with a reception following. Online condolences may be expressed at www.fitzgeraldfh.com.