Carlene Wangsness Garrison

Carlene was born at home, in Stanwood to Manser and Sigrid Wangsness, descendants of Stanwood and Camano Pioneers, on September 22, 1928. She died peacefully at home on Camano Island on January 3rd 2014. She graduated from Twin City High School in 1947. At the start of WWII she put up her hair and donned coveralls to work beside her Dad at the Signal gas station as all of the boys were called up for service. She then worked at the West Coast Telephone Company as an operator.

She married in 1949 and moved to Bellingham where she continued working as a telephone operator and lab tech until the birth of her first child. The family moved to Oak Harbor in 1952 where she welcomed five more children and was active teaching Sunday school and forming lifelong friendships. In 1974 the family moved to Brush Prairie but she always missed the Puget Sound so after retirement in 1984 the family once again moved, this time home to Camano Island and Stanwood. She made life long friends wherever she lived! She loved books and passed this passion on to every child she met. She collected an impressive library and enjoyed sharing her books with everyone. She loved the Ocean and was happy to spend time there every chance she got.

Carlene was proud of her Norwegian heritage but took the greatest pride and joy in raising her six children. Instilling honesty, integrity and a sense of humor! She also loved being Nana to her grandchildren and to many extended family and friends. She was a member of Our Saviour's Lutheran Church where she was baptized and confirmed.

She is survived by her children, David (Judi) Garrison, Susanne Garrison, Nancy Garrison, Carl (Kris) Garrison, Karen (David) Pelletier, Julie (Michael) Korenko. Brother; Howard (Dena) Wangsness of Everett and Sister; Shirley Mae Danielson of Stanwood. Former Son in Law; Richard Clise. Grandchildren; Carly (Matt) McGinn, Ingrid Pelletier, William Garrison, JoAnne Garrison, Michael Dean Korenko, Step granddaughters; Kim (Ron) Kukay and Kirsten Anderson. Six step-great grandchildren and many much loved, nieces and nephews.
Memorial services will be held 1:00 P.M. Friday, January 10, 2013 at Our Saviour's Lutheran Church, Stanwood
Private interment will be held in the Our Saviour's Lutheran Cemetery, Stanwood

Thanks to A Better Solution Home Care and Hospice. Donations may be made to the Wana Duma Children's Project at WWW.Wanaduma.org and to Our Saviour's Lutheran Church, PO Box 370, Stanwood, WA.

Arrangements under the direction of Gilbertson Funeral Home, Stanwood