Obituary: Therese “Terry” Helen Carlson

Therese “Terry” Helen Carlson, of Genesee Depot, was taken to eternal life peacefully at AngelsGrace Hospice on Wednesday, May 2, 2012 with her husband and children at her side at age 82.

Therese was born in Waukesha on Feb. 11, 1930, to the late Frank and Clarinda (nee Weyer) Savatski. Therese was a member of St. Paul’s Catholic Church in Genesee Depot and also participated in the Christian Mothers group at the church. She was a 1947 graduate of Waukesha High School. After graduating she was employed at Allis Chalmers. Then she met the love of her life, Gordon and they married Oct. 24, 1953. Together they raised seven wonderful children.

Therese was a stay-at-home mom and was involved with all of her children’s school sports and activities. She was their biggest fan. It wasn’t until after they were all in high school, that she began working at the Genesee Depot Post Office as a part-time clerk. She retired from the postal service in 1995.

After her retirement, Therese and Gordon enjoyed traveling to their home in the warm Arizona sunshine for the winter months.  They would return back to Wisconsin for the summer months to enjoy watching their grandchildren swim at their pool.  Therese also enjoyed gardening, sewing, reading and rummaging.  She was an avid Brewer and Packer fan and very rarely did she ever miss watching a game.

Therese is survived by her loving husband of 58 years, Gordon E. Carlson.  Her beloved children: Ken (Deb) Carlson of Genesee Depot, Doreen (Bill) Ellsworth of North Prairie, Deb Gehrke of Dousman, Robert (Pat) Carlson of South Dakota, Richard (Lynn) Carlson of East Troy, Catherine (Pete) Sherman of Tripoli and Sharon (Mark) Schultz of Genesee Depot, twelve grandchildren and seven great grandchildren. She is further survived by her sisters: Mary (Bill) Mack of Minnesota, Evelyn (Richard) Armstrong of Dousman, Doris Leonard (Robert Ramlow) of Pewaukee and Geraldine (Al) Banazak of Jefferson, and her brother: Donald (Carolyn) Savatski of Saukville.  She will also be sadly missed by many nieces, nephews and wonderful friends.  Therese was preceded in death by her mother and father, Clarinda and Frank Savatski and sister Patricia Gasser.

A special thanks also to her caregivers Emma and Amy and the staff at AngelsGrace Hospice.

Visitation will be held on Saturday, May 5, 2012 at St. Paul’s Catholic Church, S38 W31602 Highway D, Genesee Depot, WI 53127 (corner of highways 83 and D) from 9:30 a.m. until the funeral mass at noon. Graveside services will immediately follow the Mass at St. Paul’s Cemetery.  If desired, memorials are appreciated to AngelsGrace Hospice, W359 N7430 Brown Street, Oconomowoc, WI 53066.

For further information, please call at 262-547-4035 or go to www.waukeshafunerals.com to leave the family an online tribute message.