Obituary of Donna J. Carlson

Donna Joanne Spetz Carlson, 85, formerly of Jamestown, NY, passed away Friday, October 21, 2016 in Wayzata, MN. Donna was the wife of the late Clifford LeRoy "Doc" Carlson. They observed their 64th wedding anniversary July 7, 2015. Donna was born April 30, 1931 in Jamestown, the daughter of the late LaVerne and Whilma Hedberg Spetz. She was a 1949 graduate of Jamestown High School. After high school she worked for Hope's Windows and was one of the Gray Ladies and a Red Cross hospital volunteer. She moved with her family to Wood-Ridge, NJ in 1965. In 2012, she and her husband Clifford, moved to Minnesota to be closer to their sons and grandchildren. Donna spent summers at her cottage in Warner Bay on Chautauqua Lake. It was a place the whole family will remember for all the good times shared together at "the lake". Donna devoted her life to taking care of her family. She was an avid baker. Her Christmas cookies were famous amongst family and friends. She enjoyed knitting, reading and had recently become a Minnesota Vikings fan. Her kindness was her most endearing quality. She had a great fondness for dogs and when she could not have one of her own she looked forward to visits from the "granddogs". She was an active Methodist and attended the former Epworth Christ United Methodist Church in Jamestown, NY, the First United Methodist Church in Hasbrouck Heights, NJ and enjoyed outdoor summer services at Wayzata Community Church in Minnetonka MN. Surviving are a daughter, Karen (Stan) Carlson-Smith of New York City; two sons, Mark Carlson of Northfield, MN and David (Carla) Carlson of Plymouth, MN; four grandchildren, Andrew & Rachel Carlson and Daniel & Sarah Carlson; and a brother, Ronald "Lefty" (Lynn) Spetz, of Fort Meyers, FL. She was preceded in death by her husband, Clifford who died May 4, 2016, and two brothers, Daniel Spetz and Weldon "Archie" Spetz. The funeral service will be held at 2:00 P.M. Saturday, October 29, 2016, in the Lind Funeral Home. The Rev. Natalie Hanson, pastor of the Christ First United Methodist Church will officiate. Burial will be in the Pine Hill Cemetery in Falconer, NY. Friends will be received from 1-2 pm, one hour prior to the service, on Saturday in the funeral home. In lieu of flowers, donations can be sent to the Hasbrouck Heights United Methodist Church., Hasbrouck Heights, NJ. A luncheon will follow the service for all friends and family.