Mary (Schulz) Carlson

Age 92, of Oakdale, Minnesota, passed away peacefully with family by her side on February 7, 2026 at New Perspective of Oakdale.

Mary was born to Joseph and Irene (McDonnell) Schulz on September 24, 1933, in Superior, Wisconsin. She graduated as valedictorian from Cathedral High School in 1951 and from Wisconsin State College, Superior in 1956. Mary was united in marriage with Eugene Carlson on August 27, 1960–a marriage that lasted 59 years until his passing in 2020. She was a teacher of music and English in various positions for over 20 years. She was also very involved in music liturgy at Holy Family Catholic Church in Mitchell, South Dakota, and at Sacred Heart Church in Owatonna, Minnesota. Outside of church, she was passionate about directing the Golden Tones community choir in Owatonna.

Mary had four children, seven grandchildren, and one great-grandchild. She was devoted to her family and shared her love of music and literature with all of them. Some of her greatest joys were taking trips with her sisters and daughter, visiting family with her husband, caring for her children and grandchildren, watching the Vikings play, and playing her piano, which she continued to do through her whole life. Mary saw the best in people and wished for compassion and justice in the world.

Mary is preceded in death by husband Eugene Carlson; siblings John Schulz, Robert Schulz, Rosanne Schulz, Thomas Schulz, Catherine Haase, Patrick Schulz; in-laws Katherine Schulz, David Ritsche, Loren Haase, Patrick Cullen, Elizabeth Cullen, Kenneth Carlson; and niece Erin Mulroy.

She is survived by her sisters Julie Ritsche and Tina (Jim) Mulroy; her brothers Joseph (Sandy) Schulz and James (Karen) Schulz; her children Eric (Jo Ellen) Carlson, Paul (Elisa) Carlson, John (Dawn) Carlson, and Cyndi (Mark) Bluhm; her grandchildren Lara (Martin) Carlson-McGoey, Lucía Carlson (Michele), Sarah (Tyler) Carlson-Bradley, Tim (Cozy) Bluhm, Nicole Carlson, Dennis Carlson, and Kyle Bluhm; her great-grandson Felix Bradley; and many cousins, nieces, nephews, great-nieces and great-nephews. Mary was greatly beloved by all her family and will be dearly missed.

There will be a visitation at St. Katharine Drexel Catholic Church in Ramsey, Minnesota on Saturday, February 14 at 10:00 AM, followed by a funeral Mass at 11:00 and a luncheon afterwards. In lieu of flowers, the family suggests that memorial donations be made to your local Society of St. Vincent de Paul.

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