Mary Ellen Carson

Mary Ellen Carlson, 87, of Ogden, Iowa, passed away on Friday morning, July 25, 2025, at her home.

A funeral service for Mary Ellen will be held at 10:30 a.m., on Tuesday July 29, 2025, at Community United Methodist Church in Ogden, Iowa, with Reverend Heidi Farmer officiating. Burial will follow at Glenwood Cemetery in Ogden. A visitation will be held from 4 – 7 p.m., Monday, July 28, at the Community United Methodist Church. Carson-Stapp Funeral Home in Ogden has been entrusted with arrangements. For online obituaries and condolences, please visit: www.carsonstappfuneralhome.com

Mary Ellen Leverington Carlson was born May 11, 1938, in Oelwein, Iowa. She was the daughter of James and Eva Bailey Leverington. She grew up on a farm near Maynard, Iowa, with her parents and twin sisters, Dorothy May and Doris Marie. She was baptized June 12, 1938, at the Grace Methodist Church in Oelwein.
She attended and graduated from Maynard Consolidated School in 1956. She married Gaile Carlson on June 8, 1958, at Emmanuel Methodist Church in Maynard.

She graduated from Upper Iowa University with a BA degree in 1962. She also took graduate classes from Upper Iowa University in Fayette, Marycrest College in Davenport, Drake University in Des Moines, Iowa State University in Ames, and Heartland Area Education Agency 11. She taught second grade in Baxter, North Fayette Community Schools in West Union, and in Guttenberg. She spent most of her career in the Ogden Community Schools, where she held many different positions, ultimately teaching fifth grade until her retirement in 1997.

Mary Ellen enjoyed raising her family in Ogden. She also cherished spending time with friends, family, and her many cats. She spent her summers tending her flower gardens and refinishing furniture. She deeply valued education and had a lifelong love of learning, especially when it came to Iowa history.

Mary Ellen loved her church community. She was a longtime member of Ogden Community United Methodist Church, where she served on many committees, taught Sunday School when her children were young, and for many years, co-taught an adult Sunday School class with Gaile. She also participated in Bible Study and was a member of Community United Women of Faith and Faith Circle.

Mary Ellen was active in many community and civic organizations. She was a Cub Scout leader. She was a past member of Ogden Community Women and a charter and past member of the Lincoln Highway Questers. She helped organize the J.O.Y. Club for Senior Adults and co-chaired Ogden Fun Days for five years.
Mary Ellen also served on the boards of Battin Chapel, the Leonard Good Community Library, and the Boone County Historical Society. In addition, she was a member of the Boone County Retired School Personnel, the Retired National Education Association, and the Iowa Retired Education Association.

Mary Ellen and Gaile were both passionate educators who believed deeply in public service, lifelong learning, and supporting their community. In his memory, Mary Ellen established a scholarship at Ogden High School. She gave seventeen scholarships in his name to students pursuing careers in math and science. Almost all of them went on to work in those fields.

The Carlsons valued global connection and cultural exchange. They hosted five foreign exchange students: Vincent Revol from France, Inga Nabinger, Dagmar Klasen, Elke Muller, and Sumi Jessien, all from Germany. Mary Ellen also helped finance trips to Europe for each of her grandchildren, traveling with their Aunt Jenny, so they could experience the world.
She was preceded in death by her parents, her beloved husband Gaile Carlson of 46 years, her twin sisters Dorothy Pettit and Doris Amburgey, and her infant sister Mildred.

Survivors include her two sons: James Carlson and wife Suzanne of Brookfield, Wisconsin; Michael Carlson and wife Martha of West Des Moines; and one daughter, Jennifer Carlson of Olathe, Kansas. She is also survived by her grandchildren: Mitchell Carlson (Jamie), Abigaile Reuter (Spencer), Emma Carlson (Justin Gullickson), Hannah Carlson, and Callan Carlson; great-grandchildren: Griffin Carlson, Bennett Carlson, and Ada Reuter; sisters-in-law Betty Carlson, Linda Carlson, and Donna Carlson; and many nieces and nephews.
Memorials may be given to the Ogden Scholarship Foundation or Ogden Community United Methodist Church. No flowers, please.

Mary Ellen’s family would like to thank you for your thoughtfulness and friendship throughout her life and following her passing. Your support has been a great source of comfort and is deeply appreciated.