Barbara "Barb" Ann Carlson

Barb was born the middle of three girls on June 20, 1939 in Peoria, Illinois to the late Hank Zipper and Katherine (McCann) Zipper. She spent most of her childhood playing with her two sisters Carolyn (Wally) Anderson and Bonnielyn (Bill) Witt. She loved playing jacks, kick-the-can, and even playing pranks while growing up. She also enjoyed playing baseball with the team of boys that her dad coached when they were short players.

After graduating from Peoria High School in 1957, she worked as a secretary, and then accountant at Hiram Walkers.

Barb met Carlton Toby Carlson in June 1958. They were married on Oct. 10, 1959, and honeymooned in New Orleans. The couple then moved to Evanston, Illinois where they had two children: Eric and Kady. In 1966, they moved to Toronto, Canada for two years, where Barb developed a love of the team sport curling. After that, the family settled in Minnetonka, Minnesota.

Barb and Toby spent many weekends in northern Minnesota on Howard Lake, first at Moore Springs Resort, and then at her parent’s cabin. There were many fond memories of playing cards, fishing, turtle hunting, and time with her sisters and family.

Before retirement, Barb worked as a head bookkeeper for Kraemer’s Hardware, and then at Opportunity Partners, a non-profit foundation. She was also a grief mentor for people who lost family members.

Barb loved traveling, which included cruises and trips to Africa, Alaska, Russia, and Asia, amongst many other places.

After Toby passed away in 2001, religion and faith became an important part of her life and she was confirmed at Zion Lutheran Church in Hopkins, Minnesota in Nov. 2001.

Barb moved to Harlingen in 2011, where she met the second love of her life, Jack Scott. They continued traveling –– going to China to see the Terra Cotta Soldiers, the Panama Canal, and their regular camping trips on South Padre Island.

Barb was preceded in death by her parents, her husband Toby, and brother-in-law Wally. The memory of Barb will be cherished by her friend Jack, son Eric (Janet) Carlson, daughter Kady (Terry) Pohlmeyer, grandchildren Bryce (Jenn), Shane (Stephanie), Paige (DJ), Tara (Alex), and Corey, and two great-grandchildren Isla and Quinn.

A memorial service will be held at St. Paul Lutheran Church, Harlingen on Saturday, March 23, at 11 a.m., with graveside services at Glendale Cemetery in Washington, Illinois at a later date.

Instead of flowers, please donate to St. Paul Lutheran Church Backpacks of Love, an organization Barb regularly supported, at https://splch.breezechms.com/give/online, noting “Give to Backpack Ministry”.