Mrs. Coral C. Carlson, 98, of Stewartville, Minnesota, died on Saturday, Oct. 11, 2014, of natural causes at the Stewartville Care Center, where she had been a resident since June of this year.

Coral  C. Larson was born on Sept. 14, 1916, in Goodridge, Minnesota, to Carl and Ida (Dalen) Larson. She moved with her family as an infant to Caniesto Twsp. in rural Kasson, Minnesota, grew up on the family farm and attended country school. Coral was married on June  2, 1936, at West St. Olaf Lutheran Church in rural Hayfield, Minnesota, to Stewart T. Carlson. Following their marriage the couple farmed in Mower County before moving to rural Stewartville in 1957. Mrs. Carlson was a farmwife and homemaker and Mr. Carlson, besides farming, was employed at All American Co-op and as a custodian at the Stewartville H.S.

Coral was a devoted wife and Mom — always accepting of life’s circumstances and handling life’s troubles with grace and dignity. Coral was always happy, never complaining and always sharing her love unconditionally. Coral enjoyed cooking and baking and was known in her neighborhood for her delicious home made bread, cookies and pies. When Coral’s family was grown and out of the home, she started her own cake decorating business. She made cakes for all occasions. Wedding cakes were made and with the help of Stewart were delivered to destinations of choice. She kept photo albums with pictures of each cake. But most of all she treasured the friendships that each order brought her. Coral also enjoyed a sewing and alterations business — on a few occasions, making the wedding party dresses and baking the wedding cake.

Coral’s hobbies included embroidery, card playing, flower gardening, dancing and travel. Stewart and Coral enjoyed many trips west to the Rocky Mountains and Arizona, continuing after Stewart’s death, making two trips to Hawaii after 87 years of age.

After Stewart’s death on April 3, 2003, Coral moved into Stewartville, making many new friends and never forgetting her old friends. Coral most of all treasured her family, enjoying each and every one. Coral always made each feel special.

Coral is survived  by two daughters and one son: Charlotte Jacobson of  W. Fargo, North Dakota, Linda (Wayne) Torgersen of Stewartville, and Leonard (Kathy) Carlson of New Brighton, Minnesota; seven grandchildren; 10 great-grandchildren; two sister-in-laws: Juanita Larson of Kasson, Minnesota, and Erva Larson of Phoenix, Arizona.

She was preceded in death by her husband, Stewart; her parents; and two brothers: Lyndon and Earl Larson; and her son-in-law: Gerald Jacobson.

A time of visitation will be held from 4 to 7 p.m. on Wednesday, Oct. 15, 2014, at Griffin-Gray F.H. in Stewartville and one hour prior to the service at the church on Thursday morning.

The funeral service for Coral will be at 11 a.m. on Thursday, Oct. 16, 2014, at Zion Lutheran Church in Stewartville with the Rev. Kim Cassidy officiating. Burial will follow at Grandview Memorial Gardens in Rochester, Minnesota. Arrangements are with Griffin-Gray F.H. in Stewartville.