OBITUARY
Susan Carlson
October 20, 1956 – October 10, 2013
Susan, a resident of Auburn for 23 years, was born in Sidney NE on October 20, 1956 to C.G. and Lois Carlson of Chappell, NE. As a young child, Susan's musical talent was evident, which led her to a lifelong dedication to teaching and musical performance. After graduating from Chappell High School in 1974, she attended Bethany College and graduated with her BA from the University of Nebraska at Lincoln. She attended the University of Arizona in Tucson and later received her M.M. in piano performance from California State University in Sacramento. As an accomplished musician, she enjoyed working in a multitude of musical endeavors such as teaching private piano lessons in her home, being keyboardist, organist and accompanist for various recitals, musical theater productions, professional groups and the Auburn Symphony Orchestra. She was also the music director for the Foothill Center for Spiritual Living in Auburn and taught in private and public school settings as music director and inspirational teacher during her career. She was a member of Pi Kappa Lambda, PEO, Music Teacher's Association of California and member of the Foothill Center for Spiritual Living. Susan is best remembered as a spunky, fun-loving, creative sincere person who loved her family and friends. Her zest for life, striving to look at positive possibilities in every situation, and quest for creating beauty wherever she could, was her mission. She loved co-creating with others and will be greatly missed by her loving husband, friends, family, students and fellow musicians. She made her peaceful transition on October 10, 2013 in her home in Auburn Calif., surrounded by loving family and close friends. She is survived by her devoted husband, Jim Nelson, her brother, James Carlson and sister-in-law, Pat Carlson, of Julesburg, Colo., and her sisters Janet Carlson of Colorado Springs, Colo., and Louise Geisert of Julesburg, Colo. Susan's surviving nieces and nephews include Kristen Arnold of Greeley Colo., Marla Jones of Colorado Springs, David Carlson of Julesburg Colo., Jeff Carlson of Denver and Shaun Geisert of Fort Collins Colo., Travis Geisert of Moorcroft Wyo., and Micheal Geisert of Cheyenne Wyo. She was considered "the Greatest Aunt" to her great-nieces and nephews, Kenton, Addison, Lauryn, Logan, Kamryn, Dalton, Nolan, Jaxon, Ryen and Brenna. A Celebration of Life Service will be held at Foothill Center for Spiritual Living at 10:30 a.m.. in the DeWitt Center, 2945 1st St. Auburn CA 95603 on October 26, 2013. In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be made in her name to Music Dept. of Foothill Center for Spiritual Living 2945 1st St. Auburn CA 95603, or The Auburn Symphony P.O. Box 74 Auburn CA 95604.
Services
- Celebration of Life Saturday, October 26, 2013
REMEMBERING
Susan Carlson
have a memory or condolence to add?
ADD A MEMORYreceive updates when new memories are posted
RECEIVE UPDATESNovember 8, 2013
Susan and I were friends for many years as well as co-piano players. I have lots of good memories of Susan. My condolences to her family.
Beth Marr
November 8, 2013
A beautiful person who brought so much good to all she knew. My prayers go to her family and friends. She was a shining light for so many.
Amanda Gardner
October 29, 2013
Susan was a beautiful, talented person and I was so sad when I heard this news. She was such a musical inspiration to many ... My heart goes out to Jim and the rest of their family
Sally Gardner
October 29, 2013
Susan played an enormous part in teaching my two daughters, Jaclyn and Amanda, the love of music; something that will last them a lifetime.
Linda Schureman-Staszek
October 28, 2013
"Susan has departed Her Earthly Journey...Yet Her Radiant Angel Lives in God's Heaven Forever...And, Tho not Seen, Her Graciously Silent Spirit Remains Alive Near Her Whole Family on Earth Smiling..So Feel Her Smile Thru God's Reflection...Godspeed..XO!"
Gregg Isett
October 24, 2013
My thoughts and prayers are with you Jim and Susan's family. She touched so many lives both young and young at heart.
CG
October 23, 2013
Carlson family during this time of sorrow draw close to God and he will draw close to you through prayer. (James 4: 8) I would like to extend my condolences to the family during this time of sorrow.
Sarah Vargas
October 23, 2013
I miss her so much. She was an awesome piano teacher. I hope she can hear me whenever I play a song on the piano. Love Sarah Vargas
Donner Mine Music Camp
October 22, 2013
Susan Carlson was part of the Donner Mine Music Camp extended family. She graced us with her musical talent year after year. It was always an honor to hear her play. We will greatly miss Susan and send our condolences to her family.
In honor of Susan, DMMC has made a donation in her honor to Charity Music. http://charitymusic.org/
Lana Kerk McCoy
October 22, 2013
My mind is bursting with great memories of my childhood friend...riding bikes,digging snow tunnels for our Man from UNCLE secret headquarters, mowing/trimming the Carlson acreage, Girl Scouts, and lots and lots of piano practicing and later duets and duos and competitions and our little rock band (The Pentagon). You are a huge part of my childhood memories and I will miss you dear friend.Wishing comfort for your hubby and family and friends. Forever rockin' the heavens dear Susan!
Pam Wilkinson-Salvador
October 21, 2013
Susan was always a very beautiful person both inside and out. She was a good friend.
October 19, 2013
We wish time spent with those we love could last forever.... and in our hearts it will. I will always remember Susan as a "great" musical talent with an adventurous spirit!! With sympathy in your loss......
Carla
October 19, 2013
With deepest sympathy to Susan's family at this time. She touched many lives and will be missed for her talents and warm smile. A special life has passed from sight. Embrace the memories that will comfort you. Our Heavenly Father is Love and in His memory we are not forgotten. 1John 4:8
Sincere condolences. AM
Kathy
October 18, 2013
Susan was the first person I met when moving to a new grade school. She was a good friend and always made me feel important. Even though we hadn't stayed in touch in our adult lives, I always considered her a close friend.
Brenda Sima
October 18, 2013
Our deepest sympathy to Jim and Patty and family and Janet and family. May wonderful memories sustain you. You are in our thoughts and prayers.
Cousin Doug
October 18, 2013
Always proud to call you my cousin - Susan, you were the finest of our family.
John
October 18, 2013
With deepest sympathy to the family during your time of grief...God is for you a refuge and strength, A help that is there to be found during difficult times...May God provide you with peace and comfort to endure the days ahead.
Richard Gold
October 18, 2013
Susan was an amazing person who touched a lot of lives in a very positive way. She asked me to sing in the Choir and showed confidence in me. She will be missed by many people. Susan always had a smile on her face and it was such a blessing to have her as a friend. My condolences go out to her family and all who were blessed by her presence.
Trish Gerloff
October 18, 2013
I knew Susan while singing in the choir at Foothill Spiritual Center. She designed a Karen Drucker song for us to sing (at Easter) that was complicated and turned out beautiful. I appreciated her talents, her smile, her gentle leadership, and friendship. I hope to sing in her angelic choir. Blessings to her family and friends, Trish
David A. Edick
October 17, 2013
Susan was a wonderful sister-in-law to me for many years. I have great memories of spending the holidays together with she and her husband Jim. Certainly much too young to have left us. She is now playing the piano on the grandest stage of all and everyone is listening! Susan, rest in peace.
Horatio Edens
October 17, 2013
Susan taught me to love performance and to be lost in the music of the entire composition, not just my part. She is the finest accompanist I have ever worked with. A one-of-a-kind person of sophistication and that ol' Nebraska farm girl
Horatio Edens
October 17, 2013
She taught me to love performance, to be lost in the music, and was the best accompanist I have ever had.
Kari Niles
October 17, 2013
She brought a sense of grace and elegance to everything she touched. I wanted to have much more time with her, appreciating all she brought to our church: her interior design talents, her smiling cheerfulness, her dry wit, and, most of all, her fantastic ability to make music.
Jan Hethcock
October 17, 2013
I remember Susan fondly from the first day she started at Newcastle Elementary School. The patience she showed when she directed pre-teen boys and girls through the musical rendition of the Hobbit proved her value as a respected teacher and friend. Her grace and talents will surely be missed by us all.
Elaine Wersky
October 17, 2013
I have shared many wonderful musical experiences over the past 20 years with Susan, in small and large ensemble performances, as fellow music educators sharing music and ideas about teaching, and over the past 15 years or so with the Donner Mine Music Camp, where Susan visited 2 days each summer to accompany our counselors for their solo concerts. I admired Susan's musical talents, her professionalism and her deep rooted spirituality. She inspired me with her optimism in the face of illness, with her intelligence and poise, and with her ability to bring light to others in her presence-through her ideas, music, and positive energy. I grieve the premature loss of an admired colleague and friend. I will hold her dear in my heart for a lifetime. My condolences go out to her family and other loved ones in this sad time.
Terri Tokutomi
October 17, 2013
Susan had a radiant smile - her whole face would light up!
The gift she gave to her students will last a lifetime! "She was a wonderful teacher!" to quote my now 26 year old daughter.
Debbie Ireland
October 17, 2013
I'll always remember Susan as the most gentle soul. Never a harsh word from her in all the years I knew her at Newcastle Elementary. Never raised her voice. A wry smile and a twinkle in her eye. She was a good woman and I'm the better for knowing her.
Larry Gosch
October 17, 2013
She was a great teacher and a sweet person. We'll miss her here at Encore.
Marla Jones-Kenley
October 16, 2013
The GREATEST Aunt indeed!! Our Aunt Susan played a very important role in our lives!! She fostered the gift of music in myself and both of my children!! She played hide and go seek, and really let her "inner child" out with her great nieces and nephews. She always had the right thing to say and a "simplistic", positive solution to any of our problems. We will certainly miss our weekly facetime chats!! She will be greatly missed by our family.....
Scott, Marla, Kenton and Addison
October 16, 2013
Susan was instrumental in the creation of the performance committee at the State Theatre and I will always cherish my memories of working with her on several concerts and youth showcases. We always made plans to do more. A true friend.
FROM THE FAMILY
IN THE CARE OF