Donna A. Karlson

Donna A. Karlson, age 89, passed away Monday, February 10, 2014 at Sunrise Senior Living, Buffalo Grove, Illinois. Donna was born in Montpelier, Ohio, December 7, 1924, daughter of the late Roy W. and Katherine (Nee: Myers) Miller.

Donna received a Bachelor of Science in 1948 from Miami University in Oxford, Ohio and a Masters of Arts in Education and Social Policy in 1955 from Northwestern University in Evanston, Illinois. On October 15, 1960 at The Fourth Presbyterian Church of Chicago she was united in marriage to Karl W. Karlson, Jr. She was a member of Christ Church United Methodist. In addition to caring for two active sons, Donna was employed as a teacher at both the Prairie School and Gateway Technical College in Racine specializing in business education, retiring in 1985. She then relocated to Asheville, North Carolina until 1998 when she and her husband moved back to Lake Forest, Illinois to be closer to their family and grandchildren. She will be deeply missed.

Survivors include her two sons, Thomas (Elizabeth) Karlson of Riverwoods, IL, Bruce (Vanja) Karlson of Park Ridge, IL; her grandchildren, Emma, Hannah, and Caroline Karlson, Paige Karlson; brother, Donald (Marilyn) Miller of Nanticoke, PA; nieces, nephews, other relatives and many dear friends. In addition to her parents she was preceded in death by her husband Karl and brother Robert.

Funeral services will be held Monday, February 17, 2013, 11:00 A.M. at Christ Church United Methodist, 5109 Washington Avenue, with Pastor George Kafer officiating. Interment will follow at Graceland Cemetery. Relatives and friends may meet with the family Monday at the church from 10:00 A.M. until time of service at 11:00 A.M. Memorials to the Alzheimer’s Association, 225 North Michigan Avenue 17th Floor, Chicago, IL 60601 have been suggested.