Carolyn L. Carlson

A memorial service for Carolyn L. Carlson will be held on Thursday, September 12, 2024, at 2:00 p.m. at Holdrege Methodist Church in Holdrege, Nebraska with Pastor Sarah Fisher officiating. Inurnment will follow at the Prairie Home Cemetery in Holdrege.

Carolyn Lee Carlson 85 years of age, of Highlands Ranch, Colorado, formerly of Holdrege, Nebraska passed away, on September 6, 2024, at UCHealth Highlands Ranch Hospital. Carolyn was born in Alma, Nebraska on September 13, 1938, the eldest of three children, born to Ray and Ruth (York) Gregory. She received her primary education from Alma Public School and later attended and graduated from Holdrege High School, with the class of 1956. Carolyn pursued higher education and became a licensed cosmetologist in Texas.

On June 2, 1956, Carolyn was united in marriage to Dean Carlson at the United Methodist Church in Holdrege, and to this union, three children were born: Julie, Joseph, and Jerome. The couple moved around following Dean's career. Carolyn stayed busy raising their children, working various jobs, and volunteering at nursing homes using her cosmetology skills in the towns they moved to.

Carolyn enjoyed art especially portrait painting and also choral music. She was a member of St. Luke's United Methodist Church in Highlands Ranch and Chapter DV PEO in Topeka.

Carolyn was preceded in death by her parents; two brothers, Ronald Gregory and Dennis Gregory; and one sister-in-law, Joy Lilyhorn and her husband, Jay.

Carolyn is survived by her husband, Dean of Highlands Ranch; children: Julie of Parker, Colorado; Joseph Carlson and his husband, Mauro of St. Petersburg, Florida; Jerome and his husband, Shawn of Palm Springs, California; three grandchildren: Alex Buck of Erie, Colorado; Kelsey of the Dominican Republic; and Luke of Parker; one great-grandchild, Dexter of Erie, Colorado; one sister-in-law, Kathy Gregory of Nixa, Missouri; and a host of nieces and nephews, other relatives, and friends.

There will be no viewing or visitation. The family is honoring Carolyn's wish for cremation.

Memorials in Carolyn's honor are suggested to the family for a later designation.

Expressions of caring and kindness can be sent to the family at www.nelsonbauerfh.com

The Nelson-Bauer Funeral Home in Holdrege is in charge of the arrangements.