Phyllis M. Carlson

Phyllis M. Carlson, 80, of Indianapolis, passed away on July 1, 2023, at Hooverwood Living. Phyllis was born on November 18, 1942, to Elmer and Thelma (Brown) Horvath in South Bend, IN, who both preceded her in death. She married Edward L. Carlson on June 23, 1962, in South Bend. He preceded her in death on September 4, 2013.

Phyllis had a happy life. She grew up in the River Park neighborhood of South Bend and graduated in 1961 from John Adams High School, where she played clarinet in the marching band. For many years, she worked at Kelly Services and, later, at the University of Notre Dame in South Bend. Her family visited friends in Savannah, GA, each summer, which led to a long tradition of vacations with her husband Ed and extended family at nearby Hilton Head, SC. She loved travel, visiting many states in the U.S. from Maine to Hawaii. With her sister, Carolyn, she traveled to Hungary, to see the country from which her grandparents had immigrated. She was an active member of River Park United Methodist Church and, later, Clay Church in South Bend. After moving to Indianapolis, she was a volunteer at the Indiana Historical Society. She enjoyed music, crafting original greeting cards, and a good margarita, but her long marriage to Ed, her children, grandchildren, and many friendships brought her the greatest joy.

She is survived by her children, James (Alicia) Carlson of Indianapolis; Dan (Connie) Carlson of Marietta, GA; and Lynette Hobgood of Raleigh, NC; grandchildren Grace Carlson, Sarah Carlson, Trevor Carlson, Cassidy (Matt) Orange, Jacob Carlson, Eleanor Hobgood, Ines Hobgood, and Olivia Hobgood; her sister, Carolyn Horvath of Indianapolis; cousin, Sharon Tarr of South Bend; nieces, Stephanie Stscherban of Indianapolis and Michelle (Todd) Bolinger of Chicago; and sister-in-law, Donna Carlson of Bloomington, IN.

A private memorial celebration is arranged. Arrangements are entrusted to Leppert Mortuary, Nora Chapel. Memorial contributions may be made to Clay Church, 52866 Ironwood Road, South Bend, IN 46635, or to Aaron-Ruben-Nelson Hospice at Hooverwood, 7001 Hoover Road, Indianapolis, IN 46260.