Irene A. Carlson

Irene A. Carlson 79, of Mahtowa, went home to Heaven on Wednesday, October 5, 2011 in Essentia Health-St. Mary's, Duluth. She was born to Henry and Tyyne Soukkala, Jr. on March 24, 1932 in Cloquet. Irene was raised by her grandparents, Henry and Maria Soukkala, after the death of her mother. She married Kermit Carlson on July 22, 1950 in Mahtowa and together they raised seven children. Irene worked at Moose Lake State Hospital and at waitressing jobs over the years, but she excelled at being a wife, mom, and homemaker. She was known for her excellent baking and cooking skills. Irene attended Mahtowa Covenant Church. Menard's, the Minnesota Twins and Vikings were among her favorites, but her love was the Barnum Bombers. She rarely missed a Bomber game until her health deteriorated. She was preceded in death by her grandparents; parents; husband, Kermit; and daughters, Cari Taipale and Diane Gilbey. Irene loved her children and dearly loved her nine grandsons. She is survived and will be missed by her children, Colleen Fetters, Steven (Connie) Carlson, Debi (Tracy) Hage, Scott Carlson, and Michael (Jill) Carlson; two sons-in-law, Lynne Taipale and Wayne Gilbey; her beloved grandsons, Jamie, Erin, Jim "Pete", Nick, Matts, Willie, Taylor, Zach and Christopher; her great grandchildren, Ciarra, Ashley, Tianna, Hunter, Addison, and Jaxon; a brother, Walter Soukkala and a half-sister, Cheryl (Jim) Esala. Funeral Services were held on Monday, October 10, 2011 in Mahtowa Covenant Church. Burial was in Mt. Salem Cemetery, Mahtowa.