Janette Carlson

Janette Claire Wellner was born September 5, 1916 in Wisconsin Rapids, WI, the daughter of Clarence and Mabel (Deyo) Wellner. She grew up in Wisconsin Rapids and graduated from Lincoln High School. She began work in at Ahdawagam Paper Products at Wisconsin Rapids. During World War II Janette served in the US Navy as a Yeoman. She served at the Norfolk Naval Air Station and at Naval Headquarters in Norfolk, VA. On June 9, 1946 Janette was joined in marriage to Verner Carlson. The couple moved to Alexandria, MN to help establish the Coast to Coast hardware store. Janette worked in the catalog office of Montgomery Wards in downtown Alexandria. Janette completed her career in sales at Herberger?s at the Viking Plaza Mall. She retired in the mid-1970?s. Janette did a lot of quilting through First Congregational United Church of Christ. Quilts were donated to local nursing homes and the needy. She also did craftwork and crocheting. Janette loved flower gardening and taking care of her lawn; her yard and home was always well decorated each summer with flowers. She also helped her neighbors with lawn mowing; she did this past age eighty. Janette was active at her church and helped with funeral lunches. She served her community as a longtime member of the V.F.W. Auxiliary. On Saturday, March 22, 2008 Janette died at the age of ninety-one years. She was preceded in death by her husband, Verner Carlson; two brothers, Earl and John Wellner; and four sisters, Ethel Wiggin, Carolyn Schmanski, Jane Martin and Hazel White. Janette is survived by three sons, Dick and wife, Donna Carlson, of Alexandria, Tom and wife, Joan Carlson, of Brandon, MN and Don and wife, Merly Carlson, of Spotsylvania, VA; one daughter, Jean Dosland of LaCrosse, WI; ten grandchildren; eight great grandchildren; and many nieces and nephews. A funeral service was held Saturday, March 29, 2008 at the First Congregational United Church of Christ in Alexandria. Rev. Neal Olson and Rev. Lyle Avant officiated. Jennifer Maloney and Margaret Kalina provided music. Inurnment in Kinkead Cemetery will be private. Honorary casket bearers include all of Janette's grandchildren. VFW Post 936, the VFW Auxiliary and American Legion Post 87 provided military honors. Arrangements were with the Anderson Funeral Home in Alexandria.