Obituary of Helen Lorraine Carlsen

Helen Lorraine Carlsen, 89, died February 26, 2020 in Lacey, Washington.  She was born on June 22, 1930, to Eugene and Selma (Hanson) Olson in Williston, North Dakota, and raised on a farm in Zahl, North Dakota, which had been homesteaded by her grandmother from Norway.  She attended a one-room schoolhouse and was the valedictorian of her class of 1947 at Zahl High School.  Helen attended business school and then worked for the publisher of the Williston Herald newspaper.  She married Pastor Carl Carlsen in 1949 and raised a family of four children, while he served parishes in Tioga, North Dakota, Climax, Minnesota, Shelton, Washington and Spokane, Washington.  She was active in PTA activities, a Girl Scout leader, participated in numerous volunteer activities, and had a career as a medical secretary.  After raising her family, Helen and Carl moved to Gig Harbor, Washington, and Helen became a realtor.

Helen’s faith in God was important to her, and she was a devoted Lutheran her entire life.  While living in Gig Harbor, Helen was active in Peninsula Lutheran Church.  She attended services there and participated in church activities.  Helen loved gardening, sewing, reading, cooking, traveling, and socializing with friends and family.  She adored her two grandchildren, Heidi and Skyler, always loving spending time with them and hearing about their adventures.  Helen enjoyed entertaining guests at their home, and was known as a gracious hostess.  She was generous, sweet, kind, and had a positive and cheerful outlook on life, even while struggling with debilitating health issues.  Helen had a great sense of humor, an infectious smile, and a twinkle in her eye.

In recent years and in declining health, Helen moved to Lacey, Washington.  She was a member of the Lutheran Church of the Good Shepherd and enjoyed attending church services there.

Helen is survived by her sons, Elliot Carlsen of Seattle, Washington, David Carlsen (Julia Milburn) of Bellingham, Washington; daughter, Naomi Carlsen Specht (John) of Olympia, Washington; grandchildren, Heidi Specht and Skyler Specht of Olympia; and numerous nieces and nephews.  She was preceded in death by her daughter, Terryl Faith Carlsen; husband, Carl Carlsen; and sister, Eileen McClintock.  Her family in particular will remember the sacrifices Helen made and her commitment to providing care for her daughter Terryl in the period of her daughter’s serious illness.

Many thanks go to Jannette Dizon and the staff at Infinite Care, who lovingly cared for Helen the past few years, and to Pastor Dick Knutzen for all his special visits to her.

A memorial service for Helen will take place on Sunday, March 15, 2020 at 2:00 p.m. at the Lutheran Church of the Good Shepherd, 1601 North Street SE, Olympia, WA 98501.  Memorial donations may be made to the church.

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