Mary Ellen Carlson, age 91, of Rhinelander, died Thursday, Nov. 3, 2016, at her home, surrounded by her family. She was born Jan. 2, 1925 in Rhinelander to Laurence and Ingeborg (Lindegren) Duranso. Mary Ellen attended elementary school at St. Mary’s and then graduated from the Rhinelander High School in 1942. She then attended nursing school at St. Francis in Evanston, Ill., graduating as an RN in 1946.
Mary Ellen married John Hyde Jan. 3, 1948 and they moved to Rhinelander in 1955. She was employed as a Nurse in Evanston for a short while and then in numerous locations in the Northwoods, retiring in 1996. They included the Bump Clinic, Tomahawk and Eagle River Hospitals and the Friendly Village Nursing Home.
Mary Ellen was a longtime member of the Nativity of Our Lord Catholic Church. In her spare time she enjoyed crocheting, knitting, reading, crossword puzzles and plays/theatre. She really enjoyed the traveling she was able to do with her family.
She is survived by her daughters, Mary Ellen (Joseph) Hyde-Vilcek of Rhinelander and Maureen (David) Halpin of Merrill; her sons, Laurence (Mary) Hyde of Luxemburg and Mathew Carlson of Rhinelander; her grandchildren Gregory, John, Ryan, Nicholas, Marcus, Marissa and Madeline; her great-grandsons Clayton and Alistair; other family and many friends. She was preceded in death by her parents and her husband John on January 25, 1968.
A mass of Christian burial will be held Friday, Nov. 11 at 12 p.m., with visitation from 10 a.m. until 12 p.m., all at the Nativity of Our Lord Catholic Church-St. Mary’s site. Father Randy Knauf will officiate. Interment will be in the Nativity of Our Lord Catholic Cemetery. You may leave your private condolences for the Carlson family at www.carlsonfh.com. The Carlson Funeral Home (715-369-1414) is handling the arrangements for the Carlson family.