Irena O. Carlson, 94, of Eau Claire, Wisconsin, formerly of Truman, Minnesota, died peacefully Wednesday, December 12, 2007, at Dove Healthcare following a stroke five weeks earlier.\r\nIrena Oline Carlson, daughter of Niels and Maren (Pedersen) Holmquist, was born September 23, 1913, in Lindsay, Nebraska. Her family moved to Fairmont, Minnesota in 1915, where she graduated from high school in 1931. She married Cleo Carlson on September 15, 1935, at Grace Lutheran Church in Fairmont. She was employed by the Farmer's Coop Creamery as a bookkeeper for several years, and then she and her husband were self-employed as owner-operator of route vending machines for 4 years. From 1942 to 1946 they lived in Alexandria, Virginia where she was a federal government office worker.\r\nIn 1946, the Carlson's returned to Minnesota and in 1947 moved to their farm in Westford Township, rural Truman, where they farmed together. She was a long time member of Trinity Lutheran Church. In 2000, she moved to Eau Claire, Wisconsin to be near family, living independently at St. Francis Apartments. She engaged new friendships and actively participated in cards and games, and savored the meals.\r\nSurvivors include; two sons, Richard of Miles City, Montana and Douglas (Mary) of Eau Claire, Wisconsin; her sister, Clara Kropp of Fairmont, Minnesota; five grandchildren, Heather (Jason) Mangen, Garth Carlson, Nathan (Laurel) Carlson, Sara (Matthew) Durch, and Miranda (Paul) Erickson; five great-grandchildren and a great-grandchild due in March, 2008; and two daughters in-law, Beverly Grabouski and Diane Carlson.\r\nShe was preceded in death by her husband, Cleo Stanley Carlson in 1992; her parents; four sisters, Marie Fosen, Ethel Struck, Viola Davis, and Anna Scholl; great-grandson, Aaron Mangen; and several nieces and nephews.\r\nHer family relishes the lifelong memories created with gatherings at the Truman family farm. Her grandchildren will remember Irena as spirited, engaged, loving, and forthright. Her friends will remember her as "dessert first", a card shark, dignified, and a lover of jewelry and evening bags. \r\nThe family thanks the staff and friends at St Francis Apartments. Manager Cathy Werner was instrumental in Irena's transition to apartment living where she thrived for the past 7 years. The family thanks Dove Healthcare Aides, Therapy, Social Work, Dietary, and Nurses for providing exceptionally compassionate care during Irena's last days. \r\nIrena's cremains will be joined with her husband Cleo's, on the family farm land in Truman, Minnesota. There will be a private family memorial service and celebration of her life at a later date. In lieu of flowers, memorials will be forwarded to a Truman, Minnesota area non-profit agency.

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