Helen A. Carlson-Aldrich  (widow of Glenn A. Carlson; Education Department)

Oct. 5, 1921 — Dec. 5, 2006

Helen A. Carlson-Aldrich, 85, died Tuesday, Dec. 5, 2006, at St. Anne Extended Healthcare.

Helen was born Oct. 5, 1921, at Havre, Mont., to Rollaug and Doris (Palthorp) Chrislock. She graduated from high school in Minot, N.D.

Helen started work for Northwestern Bell at age 18. She joined the Women’s Air Corp after first being a member of the Red Cross. She served her country in the U.S. Army. In Winona, she was a PBX operator at the Winona Clinic, retiring in 1987.

Helen married Glenn A. Carlson in 1945; he died in 1985. She married the Rev. Gordon Aldrich in1987; he died in 1998.

Helen was a member of First Congregational Church and was a member of its choir for over 25 years. She was also a member of Nor-Win Lodge 505, Sons of Norway.

She was a talented musician and a member of the Winona Oratorical Choir and a patron of the arts.

Helen’s beautiful voice and unconditional love of her family and friends will be remembered forever.

In addition to her husbands, Helen was preceded in death by a son, Bruce.

She is survived by three daughters, Joyce (Chuck) Todd of Winona, Andrea (Dana) Graf of Lake Oswego, Ore., and Lisa (Rick) Strain of Winona; five grandchildren, Orion Carlson, Nicholas Carlson, Alora Graf, Amelia Strain and Andrea Strain; one great-grandson, Glen Eddy Carlson; and three sisters, Clara Collins of Texas, Jeanette Manor and Beverly Ball, both of Spokane, Wash.

Memorial services will be Friday, Dec. 8, at 10 a.m. at First Congregational Church, with the Rev. Rick King officiating. Burial will be in Bush Cemetery, Ridgeway. A time of fellowship and a luncheon will be held after the service in the Fireside room of the church.

Memorials may be directed to the First Congregation Church Elevator Fund or the Glenn and Bruce Carlson Education Scholarship at Winona State University.

Martin-Myhre Funeral Home is assisting with arrangements.

Last Modified: Thursday, November 06, 2008 13:15