Ruth Marie Sandberg Carlson

Ruth Marie Sandberg Carlson, 93, a lifelong resident of Williamson County and a true icon of the Georgetown Community, went to be with her Lord and Savior on Sunday, June 2, 2013. Visitation will be held on Wednesday, June 5, 2013 from 6:00PM to 8:00PM at The Gabriels Funeral Chapel, 393 North IH 35, Georgetown. A service celebrating Ruth's life, her legacy and her unyielding faith will be held at 11:00AM on Thursday, June 6, 2013 at St. John's United Methodist Church, 311 East University Blvd., Georgetown. Ruth will be laid to rest next to her husband, Emory Carlson at St. John's Cemetery. Honoring Ruth serving as pallbearers will be Butch McCain, Ralph Anderson, C. W. Honea, J. W. Raby, Dean May, Chris Spence and John Kluberg, and Kevin Sandberg. Ruth was born September 2, 1919 at home on the Sandberg farm, to the late Edward Rudolf and Lillian Marie Anderson Sandberg. Living her full life in Georgetown, she graduated from Georgetown High School and went on to impact the lives of many who encountered her loving spirit. Ruth was a lifelong member of St. John’s United Methodist Church. She was a devoted confirmation leader and mentor, sunday school teacher, and a member of United Methodist Women. Ruth gave of her time and talents to the St. John’s Quilters, serving on the Building Committee for the Family Life Center and the St. John’s Cemetery Association. Being born into her Swedish family, Ruth served as the chair of the St. John’s Heritage Committee, which serves to preserve the Swedish heritage of St. John’s United Methodist Church. Ruth’s favorite times of the year were the St. John’s Harvest Festival and the Jul Otta Service on Christmas Day. She would say on the ride home as she ate her apple, “It’s Christmas now I’ve been to church.” Further serving the Williamson County community, Ruth served on the Home Demonstration Club with the county extension club. As a young girl, Ruth worked at Gold’s Department Store, worked for Dr. Walter Martin, and as a Licensed Vocational Nurse. Ruth married the love of her life Carl Emory Carlson on October 27, 1946 at St. John’s United Methodist Church. Together they worked hand in hand on the farm and in the community. Along through the years, Ruth worked as floral design artist at The Flower Nook, Georgetown ISD as a commodities purchasing agent for the lunch program, assistant librarian and study hall supervisor. Ruth served as a 4H leader, helping numerous kids learn the trade of agriculture and livestock. Ruth was a talented seamstress, enjoyed arts and crafts, was an avid cook. She was known for always wanting to make sure everyone was full and satisfied both in the stomachs and their souls. Having lived in the Georgetown Williamson County area for over 90 years, Ruth was a walking history lesson and enjoyed sharing that history with anyone. She was the one people came to when they were researching their family history, if she did not know the answer, she greatly enjoyed digging in and discovering the ancestry history. Ruth was a loving wife, mother, grandmother and friend. She was lovingly known by many as “Grandma Ruth.” Ruth gave her love as a grandma to many many kids over the years. Her devotion to those that crossed her path will long live on as her legacy in the Georgetown community. Ruth is preceded in death by her parents, Edward and Lillian Sandberg; her brother, William A. Sandberg; her sisters, Bonnie McCord and Edwina Adams; her loving husband of 60 years, Carl Emory Carlson. Ruth leaves behind to cherish her memory and continue her legacy her children, Beverly Thompson and her husband Woody, and Dayne Carlson and his wife Pam; her grandson, Woody Thompson, Jr. and his wife Kimberly; and her great granddaughter, Sarah Thompson; along with a host of other loving family members and friends. Memorials in Ruth’s memory can be made to St. John’s United Methodist Church Heritage Committee, 311 East University Avenue, Georgetown, Texas 78626 or St. John’s Cemetery Association. Personal words and memories of Ruth can be shared with the family online at www.gabrielsfuneral.com.