Mariam "Joyce" Carlson

Mariam “Joyce” Carlson

(nee Wall)

It is with sadness and hearts full of love that we announce the peaceful passing of Mariam “Joyce” Carlson (nee Wall) of Portage la Prairie, Manitoba on Monday, April 17, 2017. Joyce was born on the family farm near Clearwater, MB on April 21, 1930, the second-born child of Edna “Olive” (nee Caughlin) and Alfred “Harold” Wall. She often proclaimed that she “came in with the grasshoppers”: the locust plagues of the Dirty Thirties. It was clear that many of her strong character traits and attitudes were born of that era where families owned very little and made-do with what they had. She was resourceful and creative and had very deep family ties. Joyce grew up with sisters Dena and Lois and brother Terry. She was her Dad’s right-hand girl out in the field and along with her sisters, his accompanist on piano when he played his fiddle. The Wall family is very musical and Joyce had the gift of playing by ear. She brought old-time music with a good dance beat to her listeners, playing at dances as a young woman and anyplace with a piano for family and friends. During her school years, Joyce enjoyed sewing and loved sports! Her interests and academic ability took her to the University of Manitoba where she studied Home Economics. Shortly after Joyce returned home from Winnipeg, she was offered a job at Singer’s Sewing Centre in Portage in 1949.

In Portage, during a barn dance at the Carroll place, she met a handsome guy named Glenn Carlson. They were married in 1954 and shared 58 years of love and friendship.  Together with their three daughters; Debbie, Lori and Marilyn they built a life that involved lots of camping, travelling, family get-togethers and community volunteerism. Joyce took great pride in her work as a homemaker. Their final work goal was to own and operate their own screen printing business called The Screen Door which continues to operate to this day.  Joyce was always up for a good Scrabble or Chinese Checkers game. She enjoyed her yard and was especially proud of the house she and Glenn built. There was always a sewing or knitting project on the go and it was crafted with love. She was a relationship-builder with her family; a good listener and a good hugger.

Left to treasure her memory are her daughters Debbie (Wayne McNaughton) of Sylvan Lake, AB; Lori (Dave Judson) of Portage la Prairie; Marilyn (Ron Schmitke) of Stony Plain, AB; grandchildren Neil, Kyle, Janine and Owen Schmitke; Jeri McNaughton (Evan Gagnon) and Ryan McNaughton (Katrina Johns); great-grandchildren Taylor and Parker Gagnon all of Alberta. Joyce leaves one sibling, Terry (Ruth)Wall Winnipeg , to continue sharing the Wall family stories. Through marriage on the Carlson side, she leaves Ardythe Hanna (nee Carlson) Bellingham, Wash, Cal (Shirley) Carlson, Winnipeg, Lee Carlson (Peter Lloyd) Goderich, ON, Gerry (Karen) Carlson, Banff, AB as well as 20 nieces and nephews.

Joyce was predeceased by her husband and soul-mate Glenn, parents Harold and Olive Wall, her sisters Dena Sonley and Lois Wheatley and an infant brother, Mervin; sister-in-law Karen Grover (nee Carlson) and brothers-in-law Duncan Wheatley and Stewart Sonley.

A Memorial Service will be held to celebrate Joyce’s life at McKenzies Portage Funeral Chapel at 11:00 a.m. on Saturday, May 6, 2017. Private family interment will take place prior to the service at Evergreen Memorial Gardens.

As expressions of sympathy, if friends so wish, donations may be made in Joyce’s memory to the Community Foundation of Portage and District, 11-2nd Street NE, Portage la Prairie, MB R1N 0R8.

A tree will be planted in memory and cared for by McKenzies Portage Funeral Chapel.  204-857-4021 www.mckenziesportagefuneralchapel.com