Lucille H. “Lucy” Carlson passed away peacefully in her home on October 6, 2026 at the age of 101.
She was born January 5, 1925, in Center, Nebraska, the oldest of three children, to Harry Miller and Alma Mae (Downs) Miller.
Her mother passed away when Lucille was five, and her youth was spent living with various relatives in the Midwest. When her father remarried, she gained four step-siblings, all of whom were raised in Albert Lea, Minnesota.
In 1947, Lucy married Maurice Elke and they had four children. After several relocations due to Maurice’s work as a railroad dispatcher, the family settled in Mankato where she briefly worked at Madsen’s grocery store. She then worked for the U.S. Department of Agriculture, retiring in 1989 after 27 years as a land conservation clerk.
After Maurice passed away at a young age, she remained single for 11 years, independently maintaining a home and a full time job while still being a wonderful mother, grandmother, advocate, counselor, neighbor and friend to countless people.
In 1994, Lucille married Roy Carlson, after meeting on a bus while working for a Headstart preschool program. They lived on Heather Lane in Mankato, then moved to an independent living facility in North Mankato, where they resided until Roy passed away in 2013.
She moved to a senior living apartment in Inver Grove Heights to be closer to family, and spent her last decade there. She continued to spread love, cheer, and wisdom to everyone she came to know.
Lucy touched many lives with her kindness, charm, wit and grace, and remained cheerful while facing the challenges of aging, which included near total blindness and severe hearing loss. Her faith in Christ never wavered, and she was generous with her gifts and service to her church.
She displayed remarkable calm and balance in every situation, never becoming cross or speaking in anger. Those who knew Lucy were fortunate to witness her pleasing demeanor, and to hear her reveal her secret to a long life:
“Don’t sweat the small stuff.”
This calmness extended to her final hours, where she remained restful and at peace throughout.
She will be greatly missed and forever remembered.
Lucille is survived by four children, Christine Blair, Karen Becker-Durham (Gerald), Greg Elke (Patricia), and James Elke (Jenni); three step-children, Thor Carlson, Chris Carlson (Kay), and Wanda Lloyd (Mike). She was also blessed with 12 grandchildren, 11 great-grandchildren, and 5 great-great grandchildren.
A private family interment will take place on Friday, October 23rd at Woodland Hills Cemetery in Mankato. A memorial service for all who knew her will be held at Crown of Life Lutheran Church, 115 Crusader Avenue, West St. Paul at 11:00 AM on Saturday the 24th. A visitation and light luncheon will be provided after the service.