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Mary Frances (Adams) Carlson, 81, of Fort Dodge, IA went home to be with her Lord and Savior early Thursday, October 29, surrounded by her family.
A Rosary will be held at 4:45 PM on Friday, November 6, 2026, followed by visitation from 5:00 PM to 7:00 PM at Gunderson Funeral Home & Cremation Services Weishaar Chapel in Manson, IA. A Mass of Christian Burial will be held at 10:00 AM, Saturday, November 7, 2026, at St. Thomas Catholic Church, Mason, IA.
Mary was born on August 9,1945 in Fort Dodge, IA; the oldest of five children, to Charles and Frances Adams. In 1967 she married Lyle Carlson and joined him on their farm outside Manson where they lived for 54 years before moving to Fort Dodge. She loved life on the farm and even helped with harvest by running the combine and hauling grain to the elevator for many years. Her greatest joy was her family. She was a devoted mother, proud grandmother, and smitten great-grandma. Mary was the epitome of selflessness, always thinking of others and stopping whatever she was doing to go out-of-her-way to help others.
Mary and Lyle have been members of St. Thomas Catholic Church in Manson for 58 years. She is survived by her husband of 58 years, Lyle; her children, Lynn Marie (Kent) Abrahamson, Shelley (Todd) Louwagie, and Tom (Sara) Carlson; 9 grandchildren; one great- grandson, with 3 more due soon, siblings Rita (Dan) Darveaux, John Adams, and Paul (Patty) Adams and sisters-in-law, Dennise Adams and Linda (Marv) Birkey.
She was preceded in death by her parents, Charles and Frances Adams, and brother, Jim Adams, and twin grandsons Lane and Landon Louwagie.
Memorials may be directed to the family for their discretion.