BARBARA LEE CARLSON

Barbara Lee Carlson, 105, of Alpena, entered eternal life peacefully on Feb. 11, 2024, at Turning Brook Assisted Living surrounded by family. Barb was born Sept. 9, 1918, in Newport News, W.V. to the late Harry and Bertha (Minnick) Barr. On July 29, 1938, she married Edwin Carlson in Detroit and together they raised three children on Eastburn Street on the east side of Detroit. In retirement, they purchased a home on Grand Lake in Presque Isle and spent their summers there while wintering in Kissimmee, Fla. Ed preceded her in death on April 14, 1989.

Barb was an incredible wife, mother, grandmother, great-grandmother, great-great-grandmother, and an absolute inspiration to anyone that met her. She was a hard worker her entire life, including her time at the Jefferson Avenue Chrysler Plant (as a “Rosy the Riveter”) during WWII, and then later at the J. L. Hudson Department Store at Eastland in Harper Woods until her retirement in 1968. She famously and indisputably baked the best chocolate chip cookies to ever come out of an oven, and her perfect crochet work resulted in countless blankets and washcloths and other items as gifts for family and friends near and far. She was well known for her proclivity in sending birthday cards and anniversary cards to her entire Rolodex of extended family and friends. She was an astute and thrifty shopper, and a smart dresser, always classy and put together with gorgeous jewelry, hair, and nails accenting her style always. She was a meticulous housekeeper and a master gardener with gorgeous flower gardens and landscaping beds at all of her homes, including at Turning Brook Assisted Living. She was also incredibly intelligent and was an expert at solving high-level crossword and Soduko puzzles until her final days. One of her favorite things was spending the day on a pontoon enjoying the sunshine and breezes off the glistening waters of Grand Lake, something she was able to enjoy for more than 50 years of her life. But she was most in her element as the queen of any Euchre table where she sat, with a whiskey highball at her side and a gleam in her eye, and winning, a lot. She was simply amazing!

Surviving are her three children, Richard (Linda) Carlson, 83, of Waterford, Thomas (Kay) Carlson, 80, of Northville, and Beverly Huard, 76, of Presque Isle; Eight grandchildren, Suzanne (Mike) Drouillard, Michael Carlson, Robert Carlson, Eric (Shari) Carlson, Courtney (Jeff) Stewart, Jeff (Suzanne) Huard, Holly (Chuck) Borders and Amanda (Matt) Coulon; 11 great-grandchildren; 10 great-great-grandchildren; and many treasured nieces and nephews.

Barb was preceded in death by her sister, Hannah Fremont, and her son-in-law, Dennis Huard.

A Christian service will be held on Feb. 19, 2024, at 11:00 a.m. in the Resurrection Chapel at Roseland Park Cemetery, 29001 Woodward Avenue, Berkley, MI. Brief graveside prayers will follow the chapel service.

Immediately following the services, a celebration of Barb’s life will be held at Loccino Italian Grill, 5600 Crooks Rd, Troy, MI.

In lieu of flowers, memorials may be made to Hospice of Michigan.

For further information, visit the Bannan Funeral Home website at www.bannanfuneralhome.com.