Lois Eleanor (Mortensen) Karlson, 87, of Franklin died July 16 in the Maples Rehabilitation and Nursing Center in Wrentham. She was the wife of the late Winslow Karlson, Jr. who died in 2000.
Born in Medford, December 23, 1927, the daughter of the late Ole and Kristine (Pedersen) Mortensen, Mrs. Karlson was raised in Medford and had lived in Franklin for the past 53 years.
Mrs. Karlson had worked at Medfield State Hospital for many years, retiring as head telephone operator.
She was a member of the Coast Guard Auxiliary, the Franklin and Norfolk Senior Centers and the Norfolk Grange and Ivy Groups.
She enjoyed dancing, trips to Aruba and being with her grandchildren.
She is survived by her children, Bruce Karlson and his wife Sandy of Bellingham, Sandra True and her husband Jack of Berryville, Arkansas, Diana Pasquino and her husband Michael of West Yarmouth, Linda Karlson–Trites of Blackstone, Winslow “Butch “ Karlson III and his wife Kristin of Franklin and Pamela Rizzi and her husband Robin of Franklin.
She is also survived by her 17grandchildren and 10 great-grandchildren.
She was the sister of the late Mae Carlson, Florence Mercier, Emma West, Robert and Theodore Mortensen.
Her funeral service will be held on Monday, July 20, in the Ginley Funeral Home of Franklin (www.ginleyfuneralhomes.com) 131 Main Street, Franklin at 10:00a.m.
Burial will be in Union Street Cemetery, Franklin at a later date.
Visitation will be on Sunday from 5 – 8 p.m.
In lieu of flowers expressions of sympathy may be made in her memory to the Franklin Food Pantry, PO Box 116, Franklin, MA 02038.