Mary Jane Carlson

Mary Jane Carlson, 76, of Clarksville, passed away Saturday, March 3, 2012 at her residence. She was born July 4, 1935 in Lake Odessa, the daughter of Lewis and Margaret (Ackerson) Rush. Mary Jane attended school in Clarksville through the 8th grade and then attended Lake Odessa High School graduating in 1953. She continued her education at Hackley Hospital Nursing School in Muskegon and graduated in 1957 as a Registered Nurse. She later earned her Bachelors in nursing from Michigan State University. Mary Jane worked at various hospitals in her career as a Registered Nurse including St. Joseph Mercy Hospital in Pontiac, Grand Rapids Osteopathic Hospital, Ionia County Memorial Hospital, Grand Rapids Veterans Hospital and retired from the Michigan Department of Corrections, where she worked at Riverside Psychiatric Unit. Mary Jane also volunteered for Hospice of Michigan She was active in school functions such as Clarksville Booster Club, Band Boosters Brownie and Jr. Girl Scout Leader. She was also a member of the DAR and Lake Odessa Historical Society and Ionia County Genealogical Society. Mary Jane was a member of Central United Methodist Church in Lake Odessa where she was a member of the United Methodist Women and Alethians and sang in the choir. She was preceded in death by her parents and sister, Mildred Livingston. Surviving are her children, Lewis (Patti) Carlson, Jennifer (Jon) Koetje, Alicia (Mike) Bouwens and Linnea (Mike) Jaconette; grandchildren, Brooke, Natalia, Mia, Karlee, Kyle, Jenae and Eleanor; numerous nieces, nephews, cousins and a host of friends. Visitation with the family will be held from 5-8 pm on Thursday at Koops Funeral Chapel – Lake Odessa. Funeral Services for Mary Jane will be conducted at 11 am on Friday at Koops Funeral Chapel – Lake Odessa. Interment at Clarksville Cemetery. Memorial contributions in Mary Jane's name may be directed to the Lake Odessa Historical Society or the Clarksville Library. Visitation March 08, 2012 5:00 PM to 8:00 PM Koops Funeral Chapel 935 Fourth Ave. Lake Odessa, MI (616) 374-8221 Funeral Service March 09, 2012 11:00 AM Koops Funeral Chapel 935 Fourth Ave. Lake Odessa, MI (616) 374-8221 Interment Friday March 09 2012 Clarksville Cemetery Clarksville, MI