Mrs. Velma Louise (Hawkins) Carlson

Velma Louise (Hawkins) Carlson, age 94, of Alexis, IL, died on June 22, 2022 under the care of OSF Hospice at Seminary Manor, Galesburg, IL.

Velma was born on April 28, 1928 to Fred William and Alta House Hawkins in Coldbrook Township.  She lived in the Coldbrook area her entire life except for 2 years at Yates City, IL.  She attended Lucas Grade School, Alexis High School and graduated from Galesburg High School with the Class of 1946.

She married Leonard Leroy Carlson on November 28, 1946.  They celebrated their 40th wedding anniversary before his death in July, 1987.

Velma worked at Day Street Market and Woolworth Restaurant during her high school years.  She worked at Blue Bell, Formfit, Gamble’s, Skomo, and Knox County Farm Services.  At the age of 60, she attended Carl Sandburg College for 2 years and then worked at Super 8 Motel, Marge and Judy’s Restaurant, and Account Services of Monmouth.

Velma and Leroy enjoyed farming in Kelly Township.  They enjoyed roller skating, square dancing and playing cards.  They took summer vacations with the family and traveled to England to visit Velma’s ancestral home and relatives. Velma became a snowbird after Leroy’s death and made her winter home in Texas for several years. Velma’s hobbies included crocheting, quilting, reading and serving as the historian of the Stodgell-House family.  She was an active member at Coldbrook Christian Church, serving as a Sunday School teacher for elementary youth, a deacon, an elder, and elder emeritus and member and officer of the CWF (Christian Women’s Fellowship).

Velma is survived by her children:  Louenna Jensen of Monmouth, Illinois, Rev. Lynda Carlson of West Des Moines, Iowa, and Larry (Lori) Carlson of Alexis, Illinois; 8 grandchildren:  Cori (Ken) Sharer, Cheryl (Danielle) Ross, Jill Carlson, Bret (Kourtni) Carlson, Joi Carlson, Danielle (Justin) Ward, Tyler Burghart, and Mandi Pheland; 13 great-grandchildren:  Dylan (Kalene) Sharer, Seth (Miranda) Sharer, Sydney Sharer, Madison Jensen, Ava, Bella, Summer, and Bryant Carlson, Nova Ward, Alexandria, Nicholas, H’Layna and Jordan Kushmer; 7 great-great-grandchildren:  Adalyn, Audrey, Alyza Sharer and Kooper Sharer, Vivianne Kushmer, Beverly Moran, Dorothy Moran and several nieces, nephews and many friends.

She was preceded in death by her parents; her husband; one granddaughter, Anna Lanae; her sister, Florence Conard; and brothers Clarence, Walter, Ralph, and Richard Hawkins.

A Memorial Service will be held at Coldbrook Christian Church, Cameron, IL on Tuesday, June 28, 2022, at 11 a.m.  Burial of the cremains will follow at Oak Lawn Memorial Gardens, Galesburg, IL.  Visitation will be held on Monday, June 27, 2022, from 5 to 7 p.m., at Hinchliff-Pearson-West Funeral Directors and Cremation Services of Galesburg, with the family present.  Memorials have been established to Coldbrook Christian Church, 1428 IL-164, Cameron, IL 61423 or St. Jude’s Children’s Hospital, 501 St. Jude Place, Memphis, TN 38105.  Online condolences may be made on the funeral home’s website at www.h-p-w.com.

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