CARLSON, Marilyn D., age 89

Died: Friday, March 20th, 2026

Private family services and interment will be held at a later date.

Marilyn Dawn Carlson, age 89, of Eau Claire, Wisconsin passed peacefully on Friday, March 20, 2026, in Eau Claire. She was born on October 3, 1936, in Superior, Wisconsin, daughter of Clarence and Evelyn Rasmussen, née Berg. 

Marilyn graduated from Superior Central High School class of 1954. She married David Roger Carlson, also from Superior, in 1957. Together they began their journey in Superior before moving to Marion, Iowa raising three young sons who are eternally grateful. While there, she worked for the Cedar Rapids Gazette proofreading the Sunday edition of the paper, perhaps as a break from the boys. Another move brought her family to Quincy, Illinois where she began attending Blessing Hospital School of Nursing as the boys grew older. Upon graduation and attaining her RN, she began a career as an operating room nurse at Blessing Hospital. A final move to Eau Claire brought her home to Wisconsin where she continued her career in nursing at Sacred Heart Hospital until retirement. She and David spent their time between Eau Claire, their sailboat Suvetar on Lake Superior, and their second home in Bayfield.  

Although Marilyn's vocation was nursing, her true talent was in art where she expressed herself through painting, sculpting and decorating. Although not formally trained, she was naturally gifted and creative. Following high school, she began demonstrating her skill by decorating window storefront displays at Roth Brothers in Superior and Glass Block in Duluth.  

Marilyn loved sharing stories about growing up in Superior and spending time at her aunt and uncle's farm riding horses with family and friends. She loved her sons and gifted them with idyllic midwestern childhood experiences. Her grandchildren remember her for wonderful holiday meals, Scandinavian baking at Christmas, an open door at any time and warm welcoming hugs.

Marilyn leaves sons, Brian and his wife Cindy of Gloucester, MA, Jeffrey and his partner Nanci Fine of Mendota Heights, MN, Curtis and his wife Janet of Eau Claire, WI. She also leaves grandchildren, Jeromy Carlson, Ethan Carlson, Andrew Carlson, Tyler Carlson, Gretchen Trudeau, née Carlson, and Hannah Carlson; seven great grandchildren; along with niece, Jill Sullivan, née Dzikonski; and nephew, Craig Dzikonski. She will be missed by her dear cousin, MaryLou Peterson, née Allen, and her sister-in-law, Cindy Rasmussen.

She was preceded by her husband, David; her sister, Shirley; brother, Darrell; niece, Jody; and her dear grandson, Thomas Carlson.