Maurine A. Carlson

Maurine Alice Carlson, 94, made her transition on July 6, 2014, while at the Western Home Communities Elizabeth E. Martin Health Center, Cedar Falls, IA, recovering from complications experienced by a stroke two weeks earlier. Maurine's life began as Maurine Alice Pulis on November 30, 1919 in Clarksville, IA. Her parents, Alva O. Pulis and Isadore (Shepard) Pulis had two children of whom Maurine was the youngest; Mark Stanley Pulis was the oldest. The family farmed a small farm on the east side of Clarksville. After graduating from Clarksville High School, Maurine relocated to Conrad, IA where she met her future husband, Keith Friedrich Carlson. They were married at The Little Brown Church in Nashua, IA on July 7, 1940. Marriage brought the opportunity for Maurine and Keith to travel, first to California where Keith was stationed in the Navy. Their first child, Donna Mae was born there in California. Once Keith was through with the service, they relocated back to Iowa, first to Conrad, IA where their second child, Donald Ray was born. Business opportunities gave them the ability to move first to Cedar Falls, IA, then to Fayette, IA and finally to Villa Park, IL. Maurine initially devoted her life to caring for her children, and once they were grown and experiencing their own lives, Maurine used the time to take courses in bookkeeping, an area where she had always had an interest. Returning to Cedar Falls, IA gave Maurine the opportunity to use her new skill by becoming the bookkeeper at the Cedar Falls Health Care Center, where she remained until her retirement in 1986. After retirement, Maurine utilized her time doing anything that was of interest to her, whether it was traveling, sewing, or being of service. She always loved Iowa and would occasionally travel with friends and cousins to different areas within the state. Until three years ago, Maurine remained independent with her living and gradually age took it's toll and within the past three weeks, she went from independent living, to assisted living and then making her transition. Maurine is survived by: her daughter, Donna M. Grosse and son-in-law, Robert A. Grosse of Cedar Falls, IA; her son, Donald R. Carlson of Milwaukee, WI; her grandchildren, Shawn M. Vaillant and husband Dennis Vaillant of Ocala, FL, and Robert "Shane" Grosse and wife Mollie Grosse of Denver, IA. Great-grandchildren, Trae Vaillant, Bobbie S. Grosse and Robert "BO" Grosse. Preceding Maurine into eternal life were her parents, her ex-husband Keith, sister-in-law, Vera Pulis and her brother, Mark S. Pulis. Visitation will be held from 4:30 p.m. to 6:00 p.m. Friday, July 18, 2014 at Richardson Funeral Service (615 Main Street, Cedar Falls, IA 50613). Graveside Services will be held 10:30 a.m. Saturday, July 19, 2014 at Lynwood Cemetery in Clarksville, IA. A special thank you to every person who has had the opportunity to add something or be a part of Maurine's life while on this planet. No matter where in her journey she was, everyone had the ability to make an impact upon her experience here.

Maurine A. Carlson

November 30, 1919 - July 6, 2014