Marianne Carlson, aged 88, passed away in Eugene, OR on May 13th, 2026.

Marianne was born in Linton, ND on May 10th, 1938, to Adaline (Landsberger) and Mike Hurkes. She was the third oldest of 7 children. She grew up on the edge of the small town of Hazelton, ND, where she lived on the family farm run by her mother and father and attended the local Catholic church. After graduating high school in Hazelton she studied at the College of Saint Benedict in St Joseph, MN where she received her Bachelors in English with a minor in music, graduating in 1960. Afterwards, she moved to St. Paul, MN, where she initially worked for General Electric and eventually began work as a social worker in Ramsey County St. Paul, MN. Marianne loved her time in St. Paul.

In 1972, Marianne moved to Florida, where she obtained a Masters in Social Work at Florida State University in Tallahassee. She met her husband-to-be, Lee Carlson, while she was completing her degree. After graduating, she moved to Tampa, FL, and worked for the State of Florida. Later that year she married Lee on December 28th, 1974. A few years later, Marianne gave birth to their daughter Lisa. Marianne spent several years at home, caring for Lisa, before returning to social work, where she primarily focused on administration and contracts, again working for the State of Florida. It was during this time she met her dearest and best friend, Massoumeh Rayatkhah. In 1985, Marianne, Lee, and Lisa moved a few miles from Tampa, FL to Odessa, FL. In 2002, Marianne retired and she and Lee began to travel more, both in country and out of country. She loved traveling and experiencing new places and cultures.

Marianne continued to live with Lee in Odessa until they officially moved to Wilsonville, OR in 2017, to be closer to their daughter Lisa and her husband Jesse. With time, Marianne grew accustomed to Oregon, but she always missed the beautiful sunny weather in Florida. Living in Wilsonville, she loved to visit Oswego Grill with her husband Lee, eat sweet treats, drink decaf coffee, and receive little gifts with cats on them from her loving daughter, Lisa. In January of 2026, Marianne, Lee, and Jimmy (the cat) moved from Wilsonville to Eugene, OR, to Marquis Assisted Living, to be even closer to Lisa and Jesse.

Marianne had various hobbies, talents, and interests. She was proud to be born into a musical and artistic family, she played piano and sang, was in choir, accompanied the choir in high school, and had a minor in music. She enjoyed classical music, and late in life listened to opera, particularly enjoying Pavarotti. In high school she twirled the baton and tap danced, in college she learned to play tennis using her father’s tennis racket, and she downhill snow skied, which she did into her late 50s / early 60s. She was skilled with material arts and could sew, embroider, and do other needlework, a joy that she passed down to her daughter. She was a wonderful baker, known for prune pudding and beautiful holiday cookies. She had a flare for whimsy and lovely things and created magical experiences for her daughter. When she traveled, she loved to bring back sweet little gifts for family and loved ones. For much of her life she was an avid reader, often preferring mysteries and legal novels. She was passionate about politics, with her time in social work and Aging and Adult Services influencing her views. While there were aspects of social work that were quite challenging, she cared deeply about her work, and was very invested in it.

Marianne was known by others to be intelligent, inquisitive, and sweet. She had a gentle, kind, and good spirit, a spry sense of humor, and an adventurous nature that shined most brightly in her younger years. She is loved deeply by many, and in particular, by her husband Lee and her daughter Lisa. She was a loving and beloved companion to her husband and her love for her daughter was enormous.

Marianne is survived by her husband Lee Carlson, her daughter Lisa Carlson, her son-in-law Jesse Lawton, and her beloved cat, Jimmy. Along with her sisters Marge (Hurkes) Aberle, Patricia Hurkes, Cynthia Hurkes, and Cynthia’s husband, Michael Christian. And by her in-laws Carol (Anderson) and Dean Carlson, and Sally (Pohlar) and Juels Carlson. She is preceded in death by her parents, Adaline (Landsberger) and Mike Hurkes, her siblings Mickey Hurkes, Jim Hurkes, Joanne (Hurkes) Sandwick, and by Jim’s wife Yvonne (Helbling) Hurkes, Joanne’s husband Gene Sandwick, and Marge’s husband Butch Aberle.

Marianne was a woman, a daughter, a sister, a mother, a wife, a friend, an aunt, a great-aunt, a niece, and more. She had many nieces and nephews, great aunts and uncles, and extended family members who she loved. Some of whom are still alive and some of whom have passed.

If you want to honor Marianne, please consider eating some black licorice, sip a Grasshopper cocktail, give a loved one a sweet little gift, or enjoy the sunshine while petting your favorite cat.

An intimate celebration of life is expected to be scheduled at a later time.

We love you, Marianne.

We welcome any stories or comments that you have to share about Marianne’s life or your experience(s) with her.

If you would like to honor Marianne's memory with a donation, please give to a charity of your choice.