Carleen Nuella (Nelson) Lust passed away peacefully on Friday September 20, 2024, at the age of 96. Carleen was born on July 14, 1928, to Anna & Iver Nelson in Lawton, North Dakota.

Growing up on a homestead farm in North Dakota, Carleen enjoyed riding her horse, Dewey. She graduated from Concordia College in Moorhead, Minnesota, with a BA in commercial business. After college, she taught for several years and met her future husband, Leonard (Len) F. Lust, while teaching at Flathead County High School in Kalispell, Montana. Carleen and Len were married on June 7, 1953. In 1956, they moved to Richland, Washington, where Len had accepted work at Hanford. They became members of Richland Lutheran Church, where Carleen served for many years as conference president of the ALC women, Sunday school teacher, Teens for God ministry leader, wedding coordinator, and Stephen Minister.

Carleen was a substitute teacher for 25 years in the Richland School District and served as president of Mothers Against Drunk Driving (MADD). She also worked on the election board for Benton County and was a PTA member for the school district. She was known for her love of all things Norwegian, and many friends far and wide enjoyed her baking and hosting generosity. She raised three daughters, Cindy, Cheri, and Linda, and was active in their many extracurricular activities, such as baton twirling, swimming, drama, & music. She was a talented seamstress, creating everything from baton outfits to wedding gowns.

Carleen and Len enjoyed years of sunny days with their family on lakes and the Columbia River, which included skiing, picnicking, and camping. They built a home in Sunriver, Oregon, where they spent many holidays and vacations with family and friends. In their retirement years, they traveled extensively, both domestically and abroad. During the 63 years they lived in Richland, Carleen never stopped hosting or providing hospitality to those in her community. After Len’s death in 2019, she lived her last 5 years in Folsom, California, near her daughter Linda.

Carleen is survived by her 3 daughters, Cindy (Joe) Voiland, Cheri (Bob) Adams, and Linda (Jim) Arbaugh; 7 grandchildren, and 9 great-grandchildren. She is preceded in death by her husband, Len, and her sister, Lois Nelson.

A memorial service will be held at Richland Lutheran Church on Saturday, October 19, 2024, at 2:00 p.m.

In lieu of flowers, memorials may be made to Richland Lutheran Foundation, Good News Media Ministry, or Alzheimer’s Association