Shirley I. Carlson

Shirley I. Carlson, 76, of Albuquerque, passed away, Tuesday, September 19, 2017. She is survived by her husband of over 50 years, Dennis Lee Carlson; her children, Dennis Lee Carlson, Jr. and wife, Laurie, Bruce Carlson, Brett Carlson and wife, Deborah and David Carlson. She was a proud and loving grandmother to Kendra, Scott and Mac. Shirley was a dedicated US Air Force wife and mother.

Shirley is also survived by two sisters, Dorilda and Lucille as well as two brothers, Danny and Mike. She was part of a big family of ten kids, three boys and the rest sisters. She was born and raised in and around Fort Kent, Maine and after High School she went on to receive a Bachelor’s degree in Education. At some point in her early 20’s, she met a young Air Force Airman named Dennis Carlson and married him. Before leaving on his first overseas deployment, Shirley became pregnant with their first child and Dennis Jr (Lee) was born during that deployment to Korea in 1966.

After Dennis returned from Korea he was reassigned to New York state where another son was born, Bruce in 1968. After a 3 year stint in NY, Dennis was again reassigned to an Air force Base in Japan from 1969 to 1972. It was during this assignment that Brett was born in 1971. But as the 3 year mark came, it was time to move again, this time to North Carolina. While there a fourth and final child was born in 1973 by the name of David. But alas, this would not be the end of the 3 year stints as the Carlsons would then be transferred to Alamogordo, New Mexico for one more 3 year tour of duty.

In 1979, the Carlson family moved to Berlin Germany during the height of the Cold War. This would be a much longer assignment as the final move of the Carlson travels would be several years later in 1986. This last move would be to Kirtland AFB in Albuquerque, New Mexico.

During these many moves around the world Shirley would be employed substituting and teaching at her sons’ schools, teaching Sunday school classes at base churches, working as a tour guide (shopping tours to East Berlin) and have a deep involvement in the Boy Scouts of America as the Assistant District Commissioner for Berlin Germany. These many jobs and duties would never interfere with her devotion to family as a dedicated wife and mother. This also led to raising 2 of her grandchildren, Kendra and Scott. This would not be without its own unique set of challenges but Shirley and Dennis were just as successful with their grandkids as they were with their sons.

Shirley was raised by parents that would teach her and all her siblings how to hunt, fish, sew, cook and farm and probably a few more things as well. Not all of these skills would be used through the years but if there were a lake near the base, she would fish and she and Dennis would teach their sons how to fish. When clothes for school plays or school uniforms were needed, Shirley would sew. When times were tight and there was a base garden plot available, Shirley would farm and can the harvest. She was a girl who was practical and grew up learning how to survive.

Life as a Military spouse and mother (and Grandmother) was not easy and meant a lot of sacrifice, but overall, it was a full life, a meaningful life, and one that was fulfilling for her and all those in her care.

Private arrangements are taking place.