Carolyn Mae (Cari) Carlson, 95, of Rochester, IL, passed away on November 6, 2022. She was predeceased by her beloved husband Clayton Alfred (Kayo) Carlson, son Peter Robert and younger brother Robert Wallace Larson. She is survived by son Paul, daughter Mary Ellen (Marnie) Harbach, 7 grandchildren and 10 great grandchildren.

A resident of Rochester for 53 years, Cari taught first grade at Rochester Elementary School and Union Elementary School for 23 years and served as a den mother for the Cub Scouts. She was active in countless community organizations and activities, including the Rochester Book Club, United Methodist Women, Rochester Historical Society, Memorial Hospital Volunteers, P.E.O. (both member and past president), Questers, Rochester United Methodist Church, Springfield Ceramics and Crafts Club, Home and Community Education (Illinois Extension Service), and the Bridge Club.

An avid camper and fisher, Cari enjoyed twice annual fishing trips to Minnesota for 20 years. Her zest for the world led her on memorable travels to Egypt, South America, France, England and Ireland, Canada and Mexico, France, Greece, Italy, China, the Galapagos Islands, Ecuador, and Czechoslovakia. Repeated trips to Sweden allowed her to enjoy a connection with her family's Swedish heritage.

Cari's children remember her as an outstandingly loving and supportive mother, and her many friends remember her as kind, thoughtful, and fun. Her social calendar, which included Breakfast Club Mondays, Wednesdays, Fridays and Sundays, Tuesday Scone Sisters gatherings, and Thursday Burgers and Beer nights, awed her family.

A visitation from 10:00AM until the time of the Funeral at 11:00 will be held in her honor at Rochester United Methodist Church on Thursday, November 10, followed by a private interment at Rochester Cemetery.

You are invited you to make a donation to Rochester United Methodist Church or the Rochester Historical Society in her honor, in place of sending flowers.

Wilson Park Funeral Home, 200 E. Main St. in Rochester, is in charge of arrangements.