Millie Carlson - Randy's mom - passes away at 85

LAKEWOOD, New York, USA - I received the news a couple of days ago that another towering figure in my upbringing has passed away, Millie Carlson.

Ok, she wasn't towering in the physical sense - at least not standing next to Randy's dad, Art, or Randy.

But she was a good lady to all us kids and knew a lot more about the shenanigans we were up to than she ever, ever let my mother (or other parents) know.

She taught me how to make ice tea - not that wuss sun tea, though. She made the real deal where you throw about 20 Lipton tea bags into a pot of boiling water and let it all boil like hell for 10 minutes. Her recipe for ice tea makes Starbuck's coffee look like a sedative.

By now Millie is singing with angels and has already found Art, out on the celestial golf course. They lived good lives and will be missed.

Here is Millie's obituary from the Post-Journal:

Mildred E. Carlson

Mildred E. Carlson, 85, of 35 Gifford Ave., Lakewood, died at 7 p.m. on Wednes-day, Aug. 27, 2008 in the WCA Hospital.

A Jamestown area resident most of her life, she was born March 28, 1923, in Brocton, N.Y., the daughter of Ernest and Eva M. Linner Erickson.

She was the widow of Arthur G. Carlson, whom she married Nov.1, 1947 and died Nov. 8, 2007.

Mrs. Carlson was a 1941 graduate of Jamestown High School, was formerly em-ployed in the U.S. Navy Office in the Resident Inspectors Office and for many years worked with her husband in their Nationwide Insurance Agency.

She was a member of Gloria Dei Lutheran Church and was active in the choir and formerly was a member of Bethel Lutheran Church. She was also a member of Lion's Club Auxiliary and a volunteer at the WCA Hospital.

Surviving are two sons: Randall A. Carlson of Lakewood and Gary W. Carlson of Denver, Colo.; a daughter, Janice M. (Rob) Crovo of Harwinton, Conn.; two grandchildren: Jonathan Crovo and Katie Crovo, both of Harwinton; a sister, Betty J. Thomas of James-town; and a brother, Herbert Erickson of Jamestown.

Besides her husband, she was preceded in death by two sisters: Gladys Sandwick and Florence Barnes; and three brothers: Walter, Edward and Arthur Erickson.

The funeral service will be held at 3:30 p.m. on Sa-turday in the Lind Funeral Home. The Rev. Timothy J. Hoyer, pastor of Gloria Dei Lutheran Church, will offici-ate. Burial will be in the Lake View Cemetery.

Friends will be received from 3 to 6 p.m. on Friday in the funeral home.

The family suggests that memorials be made to Gloria Dei Lutheran Church, 35 W. Fairmount Ave., Lakewood, NY, 14750