Maija T. Carlson

Maija Tellervo Carlson, 80, of McVille, ND died December 8, 2014 at Nelson County Health System Hospital in McVille.

Maija T. Carlson was born to Tyyne and Selim Neuvonen on January 16, 1934 in Haukivuori, Finland. She leaves behind rich memories and a legacy of faith and stories to her husband, Gerald, her daughter, Maria, and her son, Arnold and his wife, Susan, along with their four children Jonas, Valencia, Vanessa, and Vladimir. She is also survived by her sister, Vuokko and brother-in-law Kalevi Niva; nieces Anna-Leena (Bradley) Tengesdal and Kaisa-Maria (Jussi) Kareinen; brother-in-law A. James Schulz; nephew Todd (Sandy) Schulz; and many other nieces, nephews, cousins and beloved family. Maija was preceded in death by her parents, brother Risto, sister Ellie, sister-in-law Shirley and nephew Jeff.

Maija dedicated her life to helping others. She had extensive training in nursing and midwifery. Her work and calling led her from her native home in Finland to England, Scotland, Tanzania, Ethiopia, Cameroon, and the U.S. She worked as a public health nurse in Finland, in community health in Africa, as a dorm parent for missionary children in Africa and worked at a hospital and nursing home in the United States. She met and married her husband Gerald in Tanzania.

Aside from caring for the needs of others, she enjoyed gardening, hiking, berry picking, cooking, skiing, reading and singing. She will be remembered for her adventurous spirit, her twinkling and mischievous eyes, her grace in the midst of struggle and fabulous ability to adapt to life in widely varied circumstances.

Memorial services will be Monday, December 15, 2014 at 11:00 a.m. at New Luther Valley Lutheran Church, McVille, ND. Spring interment will be in Hamlin Cemetery, rural McVille, ND.