Ila Mae Carlson

Lake Crystal Mortuary 648 S. Main St. Lake Crystal, MN 56055 (507) 726-6161 Ila Carlson, age 85, of Lake Crystal, died on Thursday, December 11, 2014 in Lake Crystal surrounded by her family. A Memorial Service will be held on Monday, December 15 at 10:30 a.m. at Zion Lutheran Church in Lake Crystal with Rev. Andrea Myers officiating. Visitation will be on Sunday from 3-5 p.m. at the Lake Crystal Mortuary and will continue one hour prior to the service at the church. Burial will be at a later date at St. John's Lutheran Cemetery in Minneola, Goodhue County. Ila Mae was born on August 8, 1929 in Goodhue County to Carl and Bella (Ellefson) Kunde. She was baptized and confirmed at St. John's Lutheran Church in Minneola. She graduated from Zumbrota High School in 1947 and from Kahler Hospital School of Nursing in Rochester in 1950. She had further education at Mankato State University and the University of Minnesota. Ila was united in marriage to Albert Thomas Sumner in January 1953 in San Francisco, CA. They had four children, David, Dale, Janet, and Wayne. Albert died in February 1964. She married Alfred Lewis Carlson in December 1966. They were later divorced. In her professional career, Ila worked as head nurse in the obstetrics department of Loretto Hospital in New Ulm for eight years. She owned and operated the Diet Center of Mankato for several years. Through the years Ila was active in many organizations, a cub scout den mother, 4H Leader, and PTA officer when her children were young. Ila was an active member of the Minnesota Nurses Association, Business and Professional Women of Mankato, Zonta Club of Mankato, and the Diet Center Advisory Board. After retirement, Ila was on the advisory council for the Region 9 Area Agency on Aging. She was the chairperson for the advisory board of the Senior Nutrition Inc. and served as secretary and chairperson for the G.R.A.C.E. thrift store board. Ila was a longtime member of Zion Lutheran Church and served on the church council. She was a ZLCW officer and member of the Miriam Circle. Ila's interests were time spent with family, especially attending ball games, concerts, dance recitals and programs of her grandchildren. She was an avid reader and a lifelong seamstress, most recently quilting. She enjoyed bridge clubs and the Red Hat Society. Ila traveled to several foreign countries and was a charter member and officer of the Friendship Force of South Central Minnesota. Ila is survived by her children, David (Kay) Carlson of Lake Crystal, Dale (Deb) Carlson of Medina, Janet Ellanson of Lake Crystal, and Wayne (Susan) Carlson of Dubuque, IA; 19 grandchildren; 2 great-grandchildren with two on the way; and sister, Carolyn Holman of Coon Rapids. She was preceded in death by her parents; husband, Al Sumner; and twin sons in 1954.