Phyllis W. Carlson

Phyllis Welch Carlson February 19, 1935 ~ April 2, 2011 Phyllis Welch Carlson passed away peacefully on April 2, 2011. Phyllis was born on February 19, 1935, in Wenatchee, WA, the fourth daughter of Jim and Stella Welch. Her parents were the founders of Welch Apples and Phyllis was proud of her strong ties with the Wenatchee apple community. She graduated from Wenatchee High School in 1953 and married her beloved husband and soulmate, Larry Carlson, on September 13, 1953. Together they had three beautiful daughters, Jennifer (Patrick) McMahon of Wenatchee, WA; Lisa (Ken) Russell, of Sammamish; WA and Carmyn (Scott) Olsen of Snohomish, WA. Phyllis was blessed with nine (9) grandchildren: Ryan, Timothy James, Molli, Rachel, Joshua, Kendall, Brooklyn, Baylie, and Dayna. She was thrilled and excited to become a great-grandmother in September of this year. All of her grandchildren affectionately called her "Mimi". Phyllis had an energy and love for her husband and family that knew no bounds. She loved to dance and travel with her husband, Larry, and she possessed an indomitable spirit and zest for life. Phyllis refused to view her life as anything other than an enthusiastic journey shared with those she loved and cherished. Phyllis loved to model and graced the runways of numerous Wenatchee fashion shows with her beauty and charm. She had a passion and uncanny talent for decorating each of her homes, including their Lake Chelan and Maui homes, with elegance and warmth. They shared their beautiful homes with their beloved dogs, each of whom Phyllis would teach to fetch the newspaper in their mouths and happily return it from the driveway with tail wagging. The holidays and Fourth of July were special family events when she would graciously invite her family to share her home and wonderful meals. We all enjoyed her attention to detail, making each holiday unforgettable. In addition to her husband, children, and grandchildren, Phyllis is survived by her sisters, Virginia (Toody & Chuck) Wollborg and Ruthella (Tiny & Robert) Skagen, whom she loved very much. She is also survived by numerous nieces and nephews. The love, joy and happiness Phyllis brought to her family will always be a part of our lives and we will always remember her love and enthusiasm for her family and life. A private family service has been held. In lieu of flowers, for those who wish to do so, a donation can be made to the American Diabetes Association and/or the Alzheimer's Association in her memory.