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Brigadier Siri Marie Carlson, 99, was promoted to Glory in Auburn, Calif., on May 19.
She was born Oct. 10, 1911, to Karl-Albin and Maria Larsson in Risinge, Ostergotland, Sweden. The family immigrated to the U.S. in 1924, settling in Montclair, N.J.
The Carlsons attended The Salvation Army Montclair Corps, which held services in Swedish. Siri Carlson was enrolled as a soldier in 1926.
In 1936, Carlson entered the training college in New York City with the Guardians of the Covenant Session. Following commissioning, she held appointments in Providence, R.I.; Worcester, Mass.; Bridgeport, Conn.; Erie, Pa.; and Lynn, Mass., before returning to her home corps, Montclair, as corps officer.
She married Captain Lennart Carlson in 1950. They served in Jamestown, N.Y., from 1950-1952, and then in Worcester, Mass. In 1959, the Carlsons returned to Jamestown to begin a 20-year period as officers at the Temple Corps. They retired in 1979, settling in Jamestown.
In retirement Carlson remained active, especially in the ministry to the Swedish community. She was responsible for The Salvation Army’s weekly Swedish radio program, “Nar Morgonen Kommer.” In 1996, the Carlsons were honored for 40 years of this ministry by a citation from the Jamestown mayor and the Chautauqua county executive. In 1997, Siri Carlson received the Award of Merit from Jamestown Community College’s Scandinavian Studies Program.
Carlson found her most rewarding work with children and young adults. She was involved with Sunbeam and Girl Guard troops, as well as the Home League.
In 1999, Carlson moved to California and lived at the Auburn Ravine Terrace Retirement Community. She attended the Auburn Corps.
She is survived by her daughter, Elsa Cisar; son, Wesley Carlson; grandchildren, Katelyn and Steven Carlson; step-grandchildren, Harry (Sophia) Cisar and Carol (Clark) Beard; and eight step-great-grandchildren.
A celebration of life service was held in Jamestown, officiated by Major Leslie Walter.
