Doris “Toodie” Carlson

Resided in Rock, MI
Died June 15, 2019

Doris (Toodie) Carlson, age 93, of Rock passed away on Saturday, June 15, 2019 at the UP Health System in Marquette.

Toodie was born August 19, 1925 at her Grandma LaBumbard’s house in Rapid River. She is the daughter of Joseph and Stella (Lafave) LaBumbard. She began working at age 16 as a waitress for Frank’s Restaurant in Gladstone and later worked for her parents at Stella’s Cafe. She was united in marriage to Clifford J. Carlson on June 22, 1946 at All Saints Catholic Church in Gladstone. She was a member of the St. Joseph Catholic Church in Perkins where she taught CCD and was a member of the Ladies Guild. She also prepared dinner for the church picnic for 17 years. Toodie catered for over 54 years in Delta and Marquette County. She was known for her turkey and dressing, real mashed potatoes and Swedish meatballs. She was the food service manager for the Rock and Mid Peninsula Schools for 22 years, a charter member of the Rock American Legion Auxiliary Post 559 and Past President, and, served as chairperson of the Girl State program for 62 years. She was a Den Mother with the Rock Cub Scouts for 16 years, receiving the Den Mother Award. For years, Toodie was a caregiver for many of the elderly neighbors in the community. She also enjoyed gardening and sewing.

Toodie is survived by her sons, Jeff (Cindy) Carlson of Kingsford, Kim (Carolyn Peterson) Carlson of Rock and Wade (Kevin McMann) Carlson of Kalamazoo; her daughter, Vicki (Robert) Taylor of Chicago; daughter-in-law, Beth Carlson of Escanaba; ten grandchildren, Jeffrey, Carrie, Kimberly, Tim, Mike, Matt, Ryan, Andy, Kris and Lindsey; sixteen great grandchildren; and two great-great grandchildren; sister-in-law Lois Dodge of Auburn, Washington; and nieces and nephews.

She was preceded in death by her parents, her husband, Cliff, two infant sons, her son, Randy, brother, Ernest (Rita) LaBumbard and sister, Virginia Jean (Lester) Carlson.

The family will receive friends on Friday, June 21 from 2:00 PM to 5:00 PM at the Skradski Funeral Home in Gladstone. Mass of Christian Burial will be at 6:00 PM at the St. Joseph Catholic Church in Perkins with Fr. Joseph Augustine and Fr. Emmett Norden officiating. A luncheon will follow in the parish hall. Toodie will be laid to rest in the Rock Cemetery.

27 Tributes for “Doris “Toodie” Carlson”

    What a shame. She was such a wonderful woman.

    I haven’t seen her in over 30 years, but I can still remember all the wonderful meals she would cook for us for so many years at Mid Penninsula. I remember how she would come to our table to let us know that she just put out fresh, warm, homemade, cinnamon bread. Me and all the other boys couldn’t get up fast enough to run to the table to get some of her amazing bread. It was the best.

    I remember her most of all because of how she was always so sweet to all of us kids and never looked down on us, because of the circumstance that we were in. One time, as we were going through the lunch line, she was standing there with a clipboard letting kids know how much money they owed on their lunch tickets. Back then, times were tight for our family and we qualified for the free lunch program. As we walked through the line, she was approaching each kid and telling them how much they owed. When she got to me, I asked her, “How much do I owe, Toodie?” Knowing that I qualified for free lunch, and to keep from embarrassing me in front of my classmates, she said, “Let me see here, no, you’re good for another week.” That has been over 35 years ago, and I have never forgotten that.

    She had such a kind, gentle spirit, and touched so many lives. What a sweetheart!

    I had the pleasure of knowing Toodie over 30 years and know her to be welcoming and kind to all she met. She accepted my son Kevin into her family without any hesitation. I have many of her recipes and think of her when I prepare them. She touched more people in her life than almost anyone I know. We were at a Cubs game a couple of years ago and saw a family with Upper Peninsula shirts on. I asked them where they were from and they said Escanaba. I asked them if they knew the Carlsons from Rock and they said “oh my God, Toodie catered our wedding over 10 years ago”. They only had good memories of her and so do I. God has blessed her family and she will be greatly missed.

    Thank you Carlson family for being so generous and sharing your wonderful grandmother with all of us all these years! We will all miss her dearly.

    Great lady and a Pilar of the community I grew up in! Thoughts and prayers for the family!! Her and Cliffs kindness has passed from generation to generation! Sorry for your loss Coach and the loss for the rest of your family as well!! You’re family is in my thoughts and prayers!

    I have known Toodie for my whole life as she and Cliff were friends of my parents. I became their daily newspaper carrier in the 7th grade. Later, as a teenager they entrusted me to “babysit” for their children. We didn’t have a TV so baby sitting there on Saturday nights gave me a chance to watch Gunsmoke after I got the kids bedded down for the night. Later in life I savored many times the delicious food she and her crew supplied for so many events from weddings to funerals. As a retired teacher she catered our annual Retired Teachers group dinner every summer….nobody put a chicken dinner together better than Toodie. Goodbye my friend. Rest in God’s peace…….I’m sure your dear Cliff is waiting for you with open arms.
    Love,
    Al and Dolly Salmi
    Rapid River

    Toodie was such a great person. She will be missed by many. I was always glad when I went to some kind of public meal or school dinner and realized she was cooking. Her turkey was always so good! It makes my mouth water just thinking about it.

    Best goulash ever
    . I was student and didn’t like to eat in the cafeteria but could not pass up the days when the goulash was on. Been trying to get one like it for long time, maybe 50 yrs or so, she was awesome and will be remembered and missed by many, great lady.

    Toodie was one of a kind. A gentle and loving spirit. I too remember her days working at Mid Peninsula and the delicious home made bread. I also ate many of her meals she catered. She was truly a gifted woman. But what I cherish the most was her love and her always being interested and caring about what I was doing in my life no matter how long it had been since I saw her last. My heart is sadden by this loss, but I know heaven gained another saint. I love you Toodie and thank you for your witness of faith, love and charity. You will be missed.

    My heartfelt sympathy to all of you. Toodie was an amazing lady. She catered many delicious meals for us at Harbor Tower. The residents loved her food She was one in a million. May God bless her with eternal peace.

    What a wonderful person! Remember all the good times on the river with the Carlson family.Such a kind and loving person.She was always so kind to my father Jerome Mileski.

    I’m so sorry to hear of Toodies passing. She was such a beautiful, talented, sweet lady and she will be missed greatly. She touched so many people.

    What a special lady, she would light up a room with her smile. I have so many memories…having fun at the Carlson cabin at the Escanaba River, working with her at some school events held at the Lions Club (serving and clean up), not to mention her fabulous lunches at school (sloppy Joes and cowpies). God Bless You, Toodie.

    My condolences to the Carlson family as you celebrate the life of your wonderful Mother.

    When I needed a caterer for my husbands memorial, there was only one person I wanted, and she delivered. We had a nice talk afterward about love and loss, Tootie was one of the most beautiful persons I’ve ever known. Loved her, as did every one who knew her. Rock will never be the same without her and Cliff.

    Toodie was an amazing human. Her kindness, her love of life, and that fantastic laugh and smile. I am sure the next few days and weeks will bring many memories to your family. Enjoy them all. She will be missed, but never forgotten. May the love you feel from those around you bring you comfort and joy.

    Sincerely,

    One of her Rock kids

    What a beautiful, kind hearted, spiritual lady! Toodie will truly be missed! She catered my wedding in 1969 & she catered for my daughters wedding in 1998! Such an amazing woman & grandma & friend to so many! RIP Toodie, you were loved by many! !

    My condolences to the Carlson family. She was a great lady. I will always remember her great lunches at school. You are in my thoughts and prayers. RIP Toodie.

    God bless you, Toodie. I hope you are being reunited with the New Year’s Eve bunch. What a great group of friends! I have so many great memories of the whole Carlson family. You are all in my heart forever. Love and prayers.

    We have such wonderful memories of her! We had the privilege of enjoying her cooking as children in the school and then at our wedding 37 years ago. Cliff and her were truly wonderful people. Our deepest condolences…

    A very special lady! She has been a role model to me. Whenever I needed help with a menu or recipe she was there for me, and always had time to visit. A sweet, generous, person who will be missed by many.

    My sympathy to the family and friends of Toodie. My family invaded the Bakka farm each summer (my mom Elsie and Elma Bakka=sisters) but I remember Toodie!

    TOODIE’S PASSING IS A VERY SAD THING FOR THE TOWN OF ROCK. WE WERE ALL BLESSED TO HAVE HER LIVE SUCH A LONG WONDERFUL LIFE AND SHE WAS THE BEST TO ALL WHO KNEW HER. SHE DID NOT ONLY DO CATERING FOR WEDDINGS SHE ALSO DID CATERING FOR BIRTHDAYS .AND MY DAD PAUL RAMSETH BIRTHDAY MEAL WAS ONE OF HER day off CATERING. A SUNDAY!!!! FOR YOUR INFORMATION MY HUSBAND ROMAN GILL CONVINCED TOODIE TO CATER A MEAL FOR HIS 1968 SENIOR CLASS AT ROCK. THEY HAD THE FIRST CATERED MEAL TOODIE MADE == SWISS STEAK AND IT WAS HELD AT THE ROCK LIONS CLUB.
    WE ALL HAVE WONDERFUL MEMORIES TO TELL AND REMEMBER.

    We just learned of Toodie’s passing. We are so very sorry, Carlson family, for your loss. Toodie was a sweetheart! We stopped in and visited with her on the chance occasions we got to the UP. She gifted us some swedish meatballs once for deer camp and we all agree they are the best in the world! Much love Toodie, rest easy with the angels.

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