Thelma Carlson

Thelma M. Carlson, 96, of Rockford, passed away peacefully on January 1, 2025. Born in Wellington, OH, on May 16th of 1928, to William and Elva (Hanning) Ziegler. Thelma was a 1950 graduate of Bryan College in Dayton, TN, receiving her bachelor’s degree. She afterward attended the Swedish Covenant Hospital School of Nursing in Chicago, IL. She worked at Swedish American Hospital and then, Rockford Public Schools retiring in 1993. She continued to work part-time at Fairhaven Christian Retirement Center and Janet Wattles Center until her second retirement in 2003. Thelma married Melvin L. Carlson on May 15, 1954, in Wellington, OH; they celebrated almost 58 years together, before his passing in 2012.

Thelma was a loving wife, mother, grandmother and great-grandmother, who was active in the Virginia Circle at First Evangelical Free Church, where she also served as a deaconess.

She is survived by her children, Dan (Peggy) Carlson, Don (Annie) Carlson, Debbie Ellis; grandchildren, Ryan, Jacob, Clayton, Gabriel, Austin, Autumn, Kerry; great-grandchildren, Sophia, Mae, Luke, and Zahara; and brother Dale (Peggy) Ziegler. Predeceased by her husband, Melvin, parents, sister Eva Gariss; and brothers, Lee, Lyle, Carl, Merle Ziegler and Glenn.

A funeral service for Thelma will take place at 1:00 p.m. on Saturday, January 18, 2025, at First Free Evangelical Church, 2223 N. Mulford Road, Rockford, IL 61107. Visitation from 12:30 p.m. until the time of service. In lieu of flowers, please consider donations to TimberLee Christian Camp at N8705 Scout Rd, East Troy, WI 53120. To send online condolences and share memories, please visit www.fitzgeraldfh.com.