Charlson, Lydia J. (1929-2018)

CHARLSON, LIMBERG, HARMS, FOSBURGH, BOWERS, BENSON

Posted By: Paul Nagy (email)
Date: 9/20/2018 at 16:30:05

Lydia J. Charlson
July 2, 1929 - July 30, 2018

A daughter of Joe and Flora (Harms) Limberg, Lydia Joyce Charlson was born on July 2, 1929, in Buffalo Center. After graduating from Buffalo Center High School, Lydia attended beauty school. After working as a beautician for a few years, however, she decided to stay at home to raise her son, Joel, and help on the farm.

On November 18, 1948, on her grandmother's birthday, Lydia married Russell Charlson. For several summers during the corn pack, she worked at Green Giant in Blue Earth when her son, Joel, took a summer job there as well. Later, she worked at the Timely Mission Nursing Home as an aid after her mother became a resident there. Lydia liked interacting with the residents and her coworkers. As a result, she stayed on there for many years in laundry and housekeeping.

Family, faith, and community played a central role in Lydia’s life. A conscientious wife and mother, she participated in Bible studies, served as president for the United Methodist Women, and enjoyed the Homebuilders social group at church. Frequently serving as a liturgist, she donated to the church library as well. In addition, she served on the Volunteer Ambulance Committee, usually assisting with transfers because she lived in the country. Moreover, she served as president of the PTA and in 1971 as co-chair with Irving Larson of the 75th anniversary celebration of the first consolidated school district west of the Mississippi River.

Lydia and Russell lived lives full of happiness together. In the summer, they enjoyed watching the goldfinch from their dining room windows. They, also, liked gardening together. They grew vegetables, raspberries, strawberries, apples, and pears. They found the perfect way to relax with family and friends fishing in Minnesota’s beautiful lakes. The winter months, they spent at home playing cards. Indeed, they, especially, had a lot of fun with their neighborhood 500 card club. Moreover, they enjoyed traveling together, especially their two trips to Alaska and Hawaii. In addition, they, also, took many trips by car and group bus.

Inevitably, Russell and Lydia had to face one of life’s most difficult decisions: to move away from their home of a lifetime into an independent living apartment. After they both had suffered strokes, they chose Summit House in Britt. Many friends visited them, and they made new friends during their dozen years there. When the time came for Lydia to need skilled nursing care, Timely Mission in Buffalo Center made that transition easier.

She is survived by her son, Joel Charlson, of Rochester, Minnesota; and a very close cousin, Laurie Fosburgh, of Apple Valley, Minnesota; as well as by many nieces, nephews, cousins, and friends. Preceding her in death are her parents; her husband; her sister, Freda Limberg; her brother, Willis Limberg, who was killed in World War II; her brother-in-law, Carroll Charlson; and her sisters-in-law, Vivian Bowers and Blanche Benson.

A funeral service for Lydia Charlson will be held at 2:00 PM on Saturday, August 18, 2018, at the United Methodist Church, Buffalo Center. Visitation will take place during the hour before the service.

The family wishes to thank the staff of Timely Mission Nursing Home for their loving and compassionate care of Lydia during her time as a resident. It is greatly appreciated.

Oakcrest Funeral Services ~ Winter Chapel, Buffalo Center, Iowa, 2018.

Winnebago Obituaries maintained by Cheryl Siebrass.
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