Alice Marie (Mayou) Carlson

Richland, WA

Alice Marie (Mayou) Carlson passed away peacefully at her home in Richland on Saint Valentine’s Day 2017 with the love of her life, Robert, at her side.  Alice, the oldest of seven, was born May 5, 1927 in Chicago to Carl and Emma Mayou.  Alice grew up on a dairy farm between Ladysmith and Bruce, Wisconsin, attending grade school in a one room schoolhouse.  Alice loved to sew even though she got in trouble with her mother at the age of 4 for cutting a tablecloth with scissors.  After graduating second in her class from Bruce High School, she moved to the Quad Cities (Iowa/Illinois) to work.  She later moved to the Twin Cities, Minnesota.  Here she met Robert at Sister Kenny Institute in Minneapolis in 1954 when both were visiting friends who had contracted polio and were rehabilitating in iron lungs.

Robert and Alice were married May 14, 1955 at St. Mary’s Catholic Church in Bruce, Wisconsin.  Alice’s uncle, Reverend Joseph Mayou, officiated.  They moved to the Tri-Cities, Washington in June 1955 where their four children were born.  Except for seven years spent in Pennsylvania during the 1970s, Alice lived in the Tri-Cities until her death.  She enjoyed raising her family, cooking, and baking cookies that seemed to evaporate from the cookie jar.  Alice’s love of sewing continued throughout her life, sewing for clients, working at department and fabric stores, and making countless clothes for her children and grandchildren.  Alice was an active member of Christ the King Catholic Church, Richland where she was a member of the Altar Society and volunteered as a greeter.  Alice was known for her cheerful smile and generous willingness to donate her time and many talents.

Alice is survived by her husband, Robert; four children, Dennis (Karen) of Harleysville, Pennsylvania, Richard of San Jose, California, Karen, and Alan (Annette) both of Richland; twelve grandchildren; and two sisters, Ellen Peterson of Ladysmith, Wisconsin and Joan Allen of River Falls, Wisconsin.  Alice was preceded in death by her parents, Carl and Emma; sisters, Dorothy Hartley and Joyce Haigh; and, brothers, Ralph Mayou and James Mayou.

Public viewing will be held from 5:00-7:00 PM and Rosary at 7:00 PM, Wednesday, February 22, 2017 at Einan’s Event Center in Richland, Washington.  A Funeral Mass will be held 10:00 AM, Thursday, February 23, 2017 at Christ the King Catholic Church in Richland, Washington. 

The family would like to give a special thank you to Carmela Altamirano and Lupe Acosta and the rest of the staff from Visiting Angels who provided wonderful care to Alice these past two and a half years.

Memorial donations may be made in Alice’s name to Christ the King Catholic School and Tri-Cities Prep High School.