Wilma Carlson

Wilma Delores “Dee” Carlson, age 81, of Shabbona, IL, passed away on Sunday, July 21, 2019.
Dee was born in Pittsburg, IL, on June 27, 1938, to proud parents Fred and Myrtle Powell. Shortly after Dee was born, her family moved to Hinckley where she attended local schools. At a very young age, Dee helped her parents at their restaurant until she gave away too many candy bars to her friends.
At the age of 15, Dee’s friends set her up on a blind date; she met Albert “Jr” Sloat and the rest is history. After a whirlwind courtship, Dee and Jr tied the knot May 21, 1955 in Geneva, IL, and came to make their home in Elburn. They were blessed with three children: Sheila, Sandy, and Norman. After 51 years of marriage, Dee’s beloved, Al, passed away in 2006.
A few years later, Dee started noticing Ronald J. Carlson; they had worked together for some years at National Electronics and they were even in a bowling group together. It was a love that slowly bloomed and they were united in marriage in 2009. Through their marriage, Dee gained five more children: John, Tracey, Steve, Brian, and Doug. In April of 2018, Ron passed away to wait for her in heaven with their Lord and Savior.
Dee was a stay at home mom until all three of their children were in school. In 1963, she began working at National Electronics and worked there until they closed in 1976. She then worked for Trionics for about 12 years. Dee was a person with an incredible work ethic. In 1996, she moved on to work for Walmart where she made many life-long friends. She finally retired from the working life in 2009.
Dee loved to fish. She and Al would go to Web Lake every year for their anniversary to fish for crappie. Dee’s one rule for fishing was she never ate her catch. You couldn’t fool her when it came to food, Dee always knew when there was something she disliked in the dish.
At home, Dee loved to decorate. Her house changed color with every season; with decorations for each holiday to match. Most of her treasure came from her garage sale hunts; Dee could spot a deal from miles away. Her love came from her favorite show, American Pickers, and even met the stars on one of her road trips.
Even with a house filled with treasures, Dee was a very organized person. She was a big believer in “having all of her ducks in a row”. She scheduled everything and was always early, never late.
After Dee married Ron in 2009, she began fishing again. Their lake was Clam Lake where Dee and Ron would go whenever they fancied a good catch. There was no stopping their traveling together.
They traveled all over the states and you couldn’t keep them home after she had retired. They went from their home in Batavia to Branson, MO and Minnesota. Often they’d visit Iowa to watch the Bald Eagles and play her chances in the casinos’.
When Dee got older, her traveling was limited, but she still enjoyed those little rides around the lake because she knew it meant ice cream. Which was Dee’s favorite treat along with her strawberries.
Dee was a ball of energy and was so happy to welcome her new family. She loved and was loved by everyone she laid that smile on. Dee will be greatly missed, but never forgotten and will always remain in the hearts of the people she met.
Dee is survived by seven children: Sheila (Dave) Bowden, Norman “Rusty” (Peg) Sloat, John (Mary) Carlson, Tracey (Ged) Malioris, Steve (Ashley) Carlson, Brian and Doug Carlson; seventeen grandchildren; many great grandchildren; a few great great-grandchildren; many nieces and nephews and a countryside of friends.
Dee is preceded in death by her parents, Fred and Grace Powell, Myrtle and Rupert Holloway; her first husband, Albert Sloat Jr.; her second husband, Ron J. Carlson; two siblings, Charles Leroy Powell and Shirley Peterson; her daughter, Sandra Lynn (Robert D.) Repp; and a granddaughter, Stephanie Oleson.
Visitation will be from 10-11 a.m. on Thursday, July 25, 2019, with a funeral service to follow at 11 a.m. at Conley Funeral Home, 116 W. Pierce St., Elburn, IL, 60119. Internment at Blackberry Twp. Cemetery to follow.

Visitation will be from 10-11 a.m. on Thursday, July 25, 2019, with a funeral service to follow at 11 a.m. at Conley Funeral Home, 116 W. Pierce St., Elburn, IL, 60119.

Internment to follow at Blackberry Twp. Cemetery.