Mary Kathryn (Millang) Charlson (1924-2016)

CHARLSON, MILLANG, THOMPSON

Posted By: Mark Christian
Date: 1/1/2017 at 14:37:34

Obituary from Bateman Carroll Funeral Home, Gresham, Oregon.

Mary Kathryn Charlson
February 21, 1924 - November 21, 2016

Mary Charlson was born on a farm near Williams, Iowa, to Gerhard Millang and Myrtle Millang (Thompson) on February 21, 1924. When Mary was 3 years old the family moved to Story City, Iowa. She was a member of Bethel Church, graduated from high school in Story City and then attended business college in Des Moines. She served in the Women's Auxiliary Service (Navy WAVES) during World War II. After being discharged she returned to Story City and worked at Egnes Insurance.

She married Carter Charlson on October 19, 1947. Carter and Mary moved to Portland, Oregon in 1950 and lived there until 1955. They moved back to the Midwest and farmed in southern Minnesota until moving to Ames, Iowa in 1960. There she not only raised a family of 5 children but provided added income to the family by caring for other children and doing part time jobs outside our home. Carter retired from his painting business in 1979 and they moved to acreage outside of Estacada, Oregon. Mary attended classes for adult care, received a certificate, and worked as a care giver for Alzheimer's patients in their homes. She also spent many hours cooking and preserving the products of Carter's large garden and orchard. They moved to Gresham, Oregon in 1994 where Mom enjoyed taking walks, talking to neighbors, and feeding the squirrels in the local park. Carter died in 2002.

Mary died on November 21, 2016, at the age of 92. She is survived by her five children. Gary and his wife Pat live in Damascus, Oregon. Cindy and her husband Keith also live in Damascus. Her daughter Karen lives in Gresham. Craig and his wife Julie live in Ames, Iowa. Kevin and his wife Donna also live in Ames. Her granddaughter Heather, her husband Patrick and Mary's great granddaughter Maggie live in West Linn, Oregon. Her granddaughter Emily and her husband Jonathan also live in West Linn. Her granddaughter Wendy, her husband Travis, and Mary's great grandchildren Savannah and Charlie live in Ames.

Mary is also survived by her sisters Ruth, Esther and Beverly. She was preceded in death by her sister Louise and her brothers Marvin and Don.

A Memorial Service will be held on Friday, December 9th, 2016, at 11:00 am at Bateman Carroll Funeral Home in Gresham. In lieu of flowers, donations can be made to Mt. Hood Hospice, P.O Box 1269, Sandy, Oregon 97055.