Lillian Louise Carlson, known as “Tommie” to all her friends and family, a loving wife, mother, grandmother and great-grandmother, passed away early Friday morning, August 31, 2012 after an extended illness. She will be gratefully missed by many.
Tommie was born in Bozeman, MT in 1928 to Benjamin and Lillian Thomas. She graduated from Bozeman High School. After high school, Tommie married the love of her life, Oscar (Ole) M. Carlson in January 1948. With this marriage they brought their three children into this world, Alexis, Kristine and Carl.
She was most well-known for her sense of style, spending many years working in some of the finest dress stores in the Helena area. She also owned her own dress store, ‘Tommie’s Apparel’ from the mid-sixties to the early seventies. Another passion of Tommie’s was serving her community though volunteer work. The American Red Cross, Helena Women’s Club, Eastern Star, Republican Women and the Bargain Basement at the St. Peter’s Episcopal Church are just a few of the organization she served.
Tommie is preceded in death her husband of 51 years, Ole, oldest daughter Alexis Curry and great-grandson Keith Carlson. She is survived by her daughter Kristine (Steve) Dyke of Kelly, Wyoming and son Carl (Carol) of Helena; her grandchildren, Emily (Eric) Kohring of St. Louis, Missouri, Mandy (Joe) Petkewich of Helena, Becky (James) Petkewich of Helena, Mick (Shannon) Fraser of Driggs, Idaho, Colin Curry, grandson, of Helena and Cassie Carlson of California; and great-grandchildren, Krystianna and Alec Fraser, Corinthian and Chloe Koger, and Ella Kohring.
Lillian left her family with many gifts; her sense of style, her work ethic in all endeavors, a very wicked sense of humor, and the ability to create a beautiful family gathering, complete with handcrafted place cards and centerpieces. She left us wonderful memories that will stay in our hearts forever.
A funeral Mass will be held at 10:00 a.m., Tuesday, September 4, 2012 at the St. Peter’s Cathedral, 511 N. Park Ave. with a luncheon reception to follow. Memorials in Tommie’s name may be sent to the American Red Cross, 3150 N Montana Ave, Ste B, Helena, MT 59602 or to Hospice of St. Peter’s Hospital, 2475 Broadway, Helena, MT 59601. Interment will be held at the Montana State Veterans Cemetery following the reception. To offer a condolence or share a memory of Tommie, please visit: www.retzfuneralhome.com.
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Carol and Terry Dagenais says
Dear Emily, Mandy, and Becky,
It is so hard to say ” Farewell” to someone who has been such an amazing part of our lives! I have treasured memories of her teaching me the proper way to wrap a gift, make crab salad and set a beautiful table. She picked us up after choir practice, drove us to Rainbow Girls’ meetings and let us play our 45 records over and over, loudly! I loved her and will always hold her in a special part of my memory. Love to you from Carol and Terry
joyce hermann murphy says
your mother, grandmother and great grandmother was a very cool lady. lex and i were in the same grade so when my mother would take my sister and me dress shopping tommy was always the one we went to to style us. shoot, we had personal stylists in helena before it was popular.
as far as i’m concerned, tommy was a legend and even though i don’t get to helena very often, i have remembered her fondly through the years and words cannot express how sad i am today. God bless all of you in this very sad time.