Michigamme – Esther S. Carlson, age 89, of 115 W. Maple St. Michigamme, passed away Tuesday, April 11, 2017 at her home while in the loving care of her family and the U.P. Home Health and Hospice.

Esther Carlson, baptized "Sylvia Esther" was born on September 11, 1927 in her family home in Three Lakes, Michigan as the second daughter of Kosti and Jennie (Maki) Numminen. She had one sibling, an older sister, Mildred (Numminen) Hager.

She enjoyed summers during her youth at her maternal Grandmother's Farm in Herman, Michigan, specifically mentioning chasing cows and riding a motorcycle with her uncle Arne. She was her paternal grandfather's favorite traveling partner as he visited his family in Detroit.

Christmas was a favorite time for her in her youth and remained a wonderful time of celebration with her husband and family. She attended grade school in Imperial Heights and graduated High School from Michigamme Public Schools in 1944, one year ahead of her class. She then joined her family in Detroit. Her parents and sister worked in a munitions factory however due to her young age, she had to take a non military job and worked at Sanders Candy Factory.

After returning from Detroit, she met and married the love of her life, Bruce Edmund Carlson on July 29, 1950. They raised 2 daughters, and 2 sons in Bruce's family home in Michigamme, MI.

She was very active in school functions and in her church Our Redeemer Lutheran Church. She taught Sunday School for many years and served in the Ladies Aid Society the Esther Circle's Alter Guild. She loved music and taught herself to play the piano. She was a soloist in school functions and enjoyed singing in the church choir. She spoke with pride about participating in a community ecumenical choir one Christmas.

All through her life she was loved by all, being known for her wonderful and sacrificial personality. Her list of friends is endless.

In her adult years, she fulfilled a life long dream of nursing by spending 8 years at the Mather Nursing Center as a nurses aid. She greatly enjoyed her patients and colleagues. Because of her fluency of the Finnish language, she was able to understand and help those patients whose understanding of English was rudimentary.

She was an excellent seamstress and crocheted endlessly with many of her projects going to her beloved family.

She was very active with Mother's March of Dimes, enjoyed participating on a bowling team, and loved playing bridge. Due to her fun loving attitude and caring heart she was invited to many baby showers and bridal showers, often writing witty and humorous poems to the mothers and brides-to-be. She enjoyed talking about being chosen as an "Extra" in the filming of "Anatomy of a Murder" partially filmed on site in Michigamme, and pridefully showed autographs of all the leading actors and actresses of that movie.

In her later years after Bruce's retirement, she and her husband traveled extensively, going on 18 trips covering all the United States and a 3 week trip to Europe. These times with her husband and family which also included multiple camping trips, picnics, and celebrations of family milestones through the years were her greatest joys. She gave her husband and family the highest regard and everyone felt uniquely special and loved beyond measure.

She and Bruce enjoyed a love life obvious to all. They enjoyed their trips and excursions, their pets, especially the cats and last dog Daisy Mae. They loved music and danced many nights away.

As the years went by, their faith in the promises of God in Jesus became more and more a transforming force in their lives and now though the family grieves, they do not grieve without hope, hope is in the Lord. We eagerly await our reunion in the presence of God.

Esther is survived by her husband Bruce Carlson of Michigamme, 4 children - Marcia (Patrick) Hallfrisch of Sault Ste. Marie, MI, Wayne (Jean) Carlson of Negaunee, Bryan (Chrysan) Carlson of Michigamme, Julie (Gary) Walimaa of Negaunee, 10 grandchildren- Stephen Hallfrisch, Andrew (Beverly) Hallfrisch, Laura (Michael) Elliott, Caleb Carlson, Daniel Carlson, Luke Carlson, Aaron Carlson, Jennie Carlson, Abby Walimaa, and April Walimaa, 6 great grandchildren- Seth, Jonah, Benjamin, Josua, Lily, and Russell Elliott, along with many nieces and nephews. She was preceded in death by her parents, and her sister Mildred Hager.

Private funeral services will be held to honor Esther's life.

Esther's obituary may also be viewed at bjorkandzhulkie.com where relatives and friends may leave a note of remembrance.