Leslie Carlson Lake—Beloved daughter, sister, wife, mother, grandmother, great-grandmother, and friend, passed away peacefully at her home on August 18, 2026, at the age of 79. 

Leslie was born July 6, 1947 in Salt Lake City, Utah, the loving daughter to Roy Ezra Carlson and Pearl Gertrude Swanson Carlson. She cherished being a sister to her younger brothers, Steve and Dee, with whom she remained close her entire life. She relished the time her family lived on the Navajo reservation in Shiprock, New Mexico, where her father worked for the U.S. Department of Agriculture. Her family later moved to Keizer, Oregon, where she earned academic honors while being a cheerleader on student council at North Salem High School. Leslie earned a degree from Brigham Young University in Business Education, where she was a flag twirler and introduced to a charming young man from her home state. On August 28, 1967, she and Ralph Bryant Lake were married for time and all eternity in the Salt Lake Temple. They lived in several locations as Bry served in the United States Marine Corps, including Lawton, Oklahoma; Camp Lejeune, North Carolina; and Quantico, Virginia, eventually returning to Oregon where Leslie began her teaching career. 

The couple welcomed six children into their union: Lauri, Kelli, Rob, Lindsay (died in infancy), Spencer, and Matthew. She treasured each one of them uniquely and was a deeply devoted mother. Family was always the center of Leslie’s life. When they were older, she returned to teaching, first as a substitute before landing full-time at Sheldon High School. 

A devout member of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, she found great hope and meaning through her faith, friendships, and opportunities to serve others. Leslie was known for her beautiful smile, infectious laugh, elegant penmanship, generous heart, inquisitive nature, bright eyes, and warm personality. But what she will be most remembered for is the way she made you feel. She had a remarkable gift of making each person feel welcomed, seen, and unconditionally loved. 

Leslie was preceded in death by her daughter, Lindsay; her parents; and her husband, Bry Lake. She is survived by her brothers, Steven Carlson and Dee Carlson; her children, Lauri (Keven)Hopkins, Kelli (Pete)Wilkinson, Rob (Kim)Lake, Spencer (Sara)Lake, and Matthew (Jessie)Lake; her 22 grandchildren and two great-grandchildren. A lifetime of love. A legacy of faith. A family forever. 

Following a private burial service at Willamette National Cemetery, the family will be holding an open house for those who wish to pay their respects at the Lake residence Saturday, August 29th between 10am-12pm.