Violet June Carlson

Violet June (Benson) Carlson, 89, of Greeley passed away October 21, 2018 at North Colorado Medical Center in Greeley. Violet was born February 7, 1929, in Greeley, CO, to Aaron V and Esther Linnea (Rapp) Benson.

Clarence and Violet were married October 25, 1953 at First Lutheran Church in Longmont, CO. This week they celebrated their 65th wedding anniversary, calling it close enough! They first met at a Swedish dance in Eaton, CO as Violet was selling tickets. Clarence asked Violet to dance the Hambo and have been dancing together hand-in-hand ever since.

Violet graduated from Eaton High School (1947), and CU School of Nursing (1951) with an RN, BSN.

For over 20 years, Violet served Weld County in the Health Department as a public health nurse where she helped run mass immunization programs and addressed other community health needs. Her specialty was maternity and child healthcare. She traveled to several schools and homes, where her patients and their families considered her their personal visiting angel.

Violet was a loving wife, daughter, sister, mother, grandmother, great-grandmother, friend, and so much more. Her strong voice, persevering strength, servant leadership were inspiring to us all. Violet was one of the most thoughtful and involved member of our family and community, always giving generously of herself and so much more. She always put others first and was so welcoming and made everyone feel at home in every environment with her big, beautiful smile and never-ending hospitality.

She was a member of Immanuel Lutheran Church, Sewing Club at Immanuel, Member and Officer of the Northern Colorado Swedish Heritage Society, Farmerette Club, Country Circle, and Pinochle Club of Brighton, and a 4-H leader. Violet was an avid painter, seamstress, card player, gardener, value shopper, and cook. She enjoyed reading about and trying out new recipes as well as traveling. Violet honored and cherished her Swedish heritage and loved passing on this love to her children, grandchildren, nieces and nephews. Many wonderful memories were made while attending Hyllningsfest in Lindsborg, Kansas, and events at the Swedish Heritage Club in Greeley. Violet followed all the Colorado athletic professional teams, especially the Rockies. She could even tell us about the opposing team’s pitchers. Violet also enjoyed dancing, especially at family weddings where she and Clarence were often the last ones on the dance floor. She was also her children and grandchildren’s biggest cheerleader, and she and Clarence were constants in the stands of her grandchildren’s athletic and extracurricular events. Family was always priority, and she often said, “Home is best.”

Violet is survived by her husband, Clarence Carlson, of LaSalle; sister, Shirley Uhrich; sister-in-law, Elaine Luther; four daughters and sons-in-law: Linda and Stan Gingerich, Cheryl and Bret Clausen, Marcia and Randy Carlson, and Janet and Mike Crespin; ten grandchildren: Katie (Clausen) and husband Matt Denman, Eric Clausen, Emily (Clausen) and husband Brandon Clum, Michael Crespin, Linnea Gingerich, Matthew Crespin and wife Ashley, Brooks Carlson, Kendell Carlson, Micayla Crespin, and Blake Carlson; four great-grandchildren: Austin Denman, Taylor Denman, Christopher Crespin, and Eveline Violet Clum.

She was preceded in death by her parents, Aaron V and Esther (Rapp) Benson; siblings Agnes Hawley (Charles), Carl Benson (Phyllis), Ken Benson (Clarice), Ed Benson, Sonja Benson; and nephews Kurt Benson, Lee Benson and Jeff Uhrich; and niece Kathy Uhrich.

A visitation will be held from 5-7:00 P.M. on Thursday, October 25, 2018 at Immanuel Lutheran Church. Services will be held at 11:00 A.M. on Friday, October 26, 2018 at Immanuel Lutheran Church. Private burial.

The family wants to thank all the caregivers we have had over the years especially the Heart Care Clinic, First Light, the staff at North Colorado Medical Center and the staff at Greeley Medical Clinic.

Memorial contributions may be made in Violet’s honor to Immanuel Lutheran Church in care of Allnutt Funeral Service, Macy Chapel, 702 13th Street, Greeley, Colorado, 80631. Condolences may be sent to the family at www.allnuttgreeley.com.