V. Eleanor Carlson

V. Eleanor Carlson, age 94, of Laurel, Nebraska passed away on Friday, October 26, 2018 at the Hillcrest Care Center in Laurel. Funeral services will be on Friday, November 2, 2018, at 10:00 a.m. at the Evangelical Free Church in Concord, Nebraska with Pastor Todd Thelen officiating. Burial will follow at the Concord Cemetery in Concord. Visitation will be on Thursday, at the Evangelical Free Church, from 6-8:00 p.m. with a Prayer Service at 7:00 p.m. Visitation will continue on Friday, at the church, one hour prior to the service. Arrangements are under the direction of the Wintz Funeral Home in Laurel, Nebraska. Pallbearers will be Eleanor’s grandsons, Scott Carlson, Joseph Carlson, Ben Carlson, Geoffrey Carlson, Vincent Carlson, Sean Carlson, Chad Carlson, Micah Hansen, Nick Hansen and Tyler Hansen. Honorary pallbearers will be granddaughters Debra Carlson, Sharon Longe, Lara Schwendemann, Karissa Carlson, Makayla Garcia and her great-grandchildren. V. Eleanor Carlson was born on December 31, 1923 near Laurel, Nebraska to Elmer and Venessa (Burns) Graffis. She attended school at District 83 and graduated from Laurel Public Schools. In 1943 Eleanor trusted the Lord as her Savior following the passing of her mother from a long-term illness and within three days of her brother's passing in the Pacific theater of WWII. Eleanor married Harold Carlson on February 16, 1946 at the Logan Center Church of rural Laurel. While attending the church, she was a Sunday School teacher and involved in the women's ministries. Eleanor was a very faithful and loving wife to Harold where they farmed and raised their children north of Laurel. She was a member of the Evangelical Free Church in Concord, Nebraska where she was active in the AWANA program and loved going to White Cross. Eleanor was very involved with the children at their country school and often took kids to tour local businesses. She enjoyed attending her grandchildren’s activities, baking, and doing handwork; and she always had an open door policy with her grandchildren to come and "snitch" food whenever they pleased. Eleanor is survived by her children, Richard (Judy) Carlson of Laurel, Eldon (Susan) Carlson of Bloomer, WI, Gregory (Donna) Carlson of Streamwood, IL, Larry (Vikki) Carlson of Laurel, and Lori (Dan) Hansen of Laurel; 15 grandchildren; 24 great-grandchildren; sister-in-law Alice Graffis of Laurel; and her nieces and nephews. Eleanor was preceded in death by her parents; husband, Harold, in 2007; brothers and sister-in-law, Emory and Raymond/Edith Graffis. Also, brothers/sisters-in-law, Hilvie/LaVern Peterson, Mable Carlson, Milton/Agnes Carlson, Clifford/ Lucille Carlson and Melvin/Fonielle Carlson.