Mary Jordan Carlson

Mary Jordan Carlson, 90, formerly of Prospect Heights, and Glenview, IL passed away at Neuvant House in Lawrence, Kansas. Mary, daughter of Leslie and Ruth Jordan; born December 29, 1925 in rural Bristow, OK; skipped a grade in Junior high school; completed high school in three years as valedictorian; graduated at age 20 with a BS in Home Economics with emphasis in Foods and Nutrition at the University of Arkansas in 1946; and a MS in Nutrition with a Minor in Journalism from Drexel Institute in Philadelphia, PA in 1957.
Mary’s life had a consistent focus. She was a champion of women in education, independence, equal rights and leadership; a pioneer with excellence and an insatiable appetite to experience different cultures around the world. At age 10, Mary survived the worst dust storm recorded, known as Black Sunday of April 14, 1935; she was less than 150 miles from the epicenter; three years later her father died as a cotton farmer at which time her mother moved the whole house to Cordell, OK and supported the family of two girls as a telephone operator and a nurse to the only doctor in town. Although Mrs. Jordon never learned to drive; she was known to make trips to the grocery store courtesy of the local police.
Mary held high expectations for herself and reached beyond the normal boundaries at an early age. One month out of college, Mary was a student dietician for Marshall Field’s Food Service in Chicago, Illinois; within 6 months she was promoted to Food Cafeteria Supervisor. Two years later she exponentially expanded her horizons as a Home Economics Teacher for a Private Girls School in Montevideo, Uruguay, South America with the Board of Missions of the Methodist Church. Her diary at this time reveals her strong character, social and professional persona and her first witness to third-world nutrition deprivation. After experiencing a primitive culture for two and ½ years, Mary returned to the United States to Manage the Neiman Marcus Tea Room of Dallas, Texas. She was associated for at least 10 years with the National Live Stock and Meat Board in several capacities including conducting 3-day Cooking Schools (up to 2000 people) all over the Nation. At this time Mary was treated like a celebrity with paparazzi at every town and even promoting Buicks in full-page newspaper ads.
For 6 years Mary was a Nutrition lecturer to college Nursing programs where her students commented that she “made nutrition fun”! 10 years teaching dietetics to Chicago hospitals; an editor of several professional publications and a freelance food consultant and nutritionist. Mary Carlson co-authored two cookbooks; one a groundbreaking food service professional cookbook in collaboration with the Campbell Soup Company and another called “Living the Good Life Microwave Recipe Book” which is still available on Amazon.com. Mary’s active, long term affiliation with Professional Associations was extensive and littered with awards, chairman of many committees and Presidencies. American Dietetic Association, Past District and State Officer, Member of ADA House of Delegates. American Home Economics Association past Illinois district and state officer, past President of the Chicago Nutrition Association, past State President of American Association of University Women in the year of the AAUW 75th Year Celebration Convention. Mary had over 40 years of active membership of AAUW in which she started several number of chapters in Illinois and also received the distinction of AAUW Woman of the Year Award. Mary was also very active with the United Methodist Church Women’s Society and held offices at the local, district and conference levels.
Additionally, Mary finished a respectable 5th out of 16 to represent the 3rd Senatorial District in 1969 to re-write the Illinois Constitution. The Governor appointed her initially to sit on the Illinois Committee for a Constitutional Convention and was also a member of the Illinois Advisory Committee on Education.
Mary married Elmer V. Carlson on October 13, 1956, in Ardmore, Pennsylvania and resided for many years in Prospect Heights, Illinois. She was preceded in death by her husband in 2003, also her parents, sister and brother-in-law, Betty and Howard Gilmer and niece, Leslie, Hot Spring, AR, and brothers-in-law, Frank J. Carlson, Euless, TX, and Kenneth L. Wheeler, Plymouth, MI.
Mary and Elmer were extensive world-wide travelers throughout their married life to many developing countries; where she witnessed the “ill-fated lives of children as a result of malnutrition” which fueled her passion to establish the American Association of University Women Mary Jordan Carlson International Fellowship in 2000 that inspires girls to make a difference in their own countries by providing them the opportunity to come and study in the United States.
Survivors include sisters/brothers-in-law, Evelyn Carlson (Robert) Senecal, of Lawrence, KS; Edna Carlson Wilson of Cohoctah, MI; Agnes Carlson Wheeler of Plymouth, MI; 13 nieces and nephews and 31 great nieces and nephews. Mary surely be missed, but not forgotten, as we know by her strong faith in God, that she is exploring the expansive universe of heaven; ready to greet us for when we will meet her there.
Memorials may be made in her memory to Hillsdale College, the Heritage Foundation, the American Association of University Women or the United Methodist Church of Arlington Heights, Illinois and may be sent in care of the Warren-McElwain Mortuary.

14 Condolences

  1. Toni Dudley on September 15, 2016 at 12:06 pm

    We were so sorry to hear of Mary’s passing. She was fortunate to be surrounded by people who genuinely cared about her. My mother-in-law, Alice Dudley had the room next to Mary for a few months.
    We always enjoyed seeing Mary. I remember how much she loved pointsettias. May she rest in peace.



  2. Dorothy Benish on October 19, 2016 at 10:11 am

    Sorry to hear of Mary’s passing. She was a very giving of her time while a group of women were creating a new AAUW Branch. She had a great depth of knowledge in a lot of things. A very interesting person.

    Dorothy



  3. Virginia Pope on October 20, 2016 at 6:39 pm

    Mary and my mother, Marie Pope, were good friends and members of the Women’s Society at Arlington Heights United Methodist Church back when she lived in Prospect Heights. I was a kid at the time, but I remember that Mary was one of the first people to own a microwave oven and that Elmer had to do some special wiring to install it. We went to their house to see it. My memory of her is of a warm and very intelligent woman. I wish I had been older to really appreciate who she was. I had no idea what world travelers she and Elmer were and her extensive work.

    The last time I saw Mary was when she came to my mother’s wake in 2001 and we had a nice talk. I was glad to have connected with her. My condolences to the family as you truly were blessed to have Mary in your lives.



  4. Bonnie Johnston on August 3, 2018 at 11:39 am

    I was so sorry to hear of Rosella’s recent death and can only imagine what you, her beloved family members must be experiencing. Though I had just gotten to know her fairly recently, I am so happy that we were becoming fast friends. She was such a kind and sweet woman and her devotion to her family and her faith was very evident. I will sorely miss her and will keep you all in my prayers



  5. Sharon Dierking on August 5, 2018 at 9:06 pm

    Rosella was a professional and well respected speech therapist who impacted many children’s lives. Her caring and joyful personality was a light for many of her co-workers too. Please know that all her loved ones are in thoughts and pra



  6. Barry Molineux on August 6, 2018 at 11:00 am

    My sincerest sympathy to all the family.



  7. Suzy & Greg Rezac on August 6, 2018 at 5:29 pm

    So sorry to hear of Rosella’s passing. Our condolences to the Rainbolt family. God ‘s blessings to each of you.
    Love,
    Greg and Suzy Rezac
    Scottsdale, AZ



  8. Greg Hoyt on August 7, 2018 at 2:33 pm

    Harry, Mike, and Kate – My most heartfelt sympathy to each of you. I had absolutely no idea until I read the Sunday Manhattan paper. Like so many of my friends mothers, Rosella showed love and compassion to me after my mother passed away prior to me entering high school. And I know that she demonstrated love and compassion to all, because that is who she is, but it meant a great deal to me at a very difficult and impressionable time in my life. Blessings to each of you.

    Greg Hoyt



  9. Tim Bontrager on August 7, 2018 at 3:31 pm

    Harry, Mike and Katie,

    My deepest sympathy to you. Rosella’s passing is indeed a great loss for all that were privileged to have known her. My memories of Rosella began when my family moved to Manhattan on the occasion of my 5th birthday. Rosella knew we were new to town and I had no friends. She rang the doorbell with her son Tom in tow so I’d have a friend for my birthday party. I will miss her and the coffee dates we shared later in life. Rosella’s thoughtfulness, compassion and smile were never ending. Harry, Mike, and Katie, you are in my thoughts.



  10. Manish Asarkar on August 7, 2018 at 10:48 pm

    Kate,
    Please accept my condolence over the sad demise of your mother. May her soul rest in peace.



  11. Judy on August 8, 2018 at 7:02 am

    We will be praying for all of you this morning. All our love, Wayne and Judy Corne.



  12. Sister Alberta and Sister MAry John on August 8, 2018 at 11:15 am

    We are with you in love and prayers.
    Sister Alberta and Sister Mary John
    (Lulu and Shirley)



  13. Ellen Knackendoffel on August 8, 2018 at 3:05 pm

    Harry, Mike, and Kate,

    Our deepest sympathies to you and your families during this difficult time. We were so blessed to have Rosella as our neighbor for so many years and she was always so kind – especially to us kids. In fact, she used to pick up Francie from kindergarten several days a week and secretly treat her to lunch at Taco Hut or Howdie’s Deli. Francie (now 21) still talks about their little outings and how much fun they had together. Unfortunately, my parents are currently on vacation in Canada, Paul has moved to Denver and Francie is in the middle of sorority recruitment so they were not able to join me at the service this morning. They all give their love, thoughts, and prayers. I apologize that I was not able to stay for the luncheon after the service to give my condolences in person.

    Take care and God bless you all,

    Ellen Knackendoffel & Family



  14. Kathleen Baker on August 8, 2018 at 10:38 pm

    The Bakers send our love. We know how hard it is to lose your mom, the one who loves and supports.

    I didn’t get to see Rosella very often. But every time I did, I was drawn to her gentleness, her kindness, and her strength. She had a beautiful, sweet smile. And when we’d talk church, and women in the Church, I’d know I’d found a kindred spirit.

    I’m glad to know that she is still with us, part of us, though I wish she were still physically among us. She was and is an angel.

    All the Bakers send our love and our prayers. Our hearts are with you all.

    Kathleen Baker and Family



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