Marlee J. Carlson

Marlee Jean Carlson (nee Matz) of Hartland, passed away peacefully at home, after a very long battle with COPD, with loved ones by her side, on Saturday, August 3, 2024. 

Marlee was born on March 26, 1948 to Howard Matz and Alice (Drews) Matz (Averson). 

Marlee was a very hard worker and held down many jobs throughout her lifetime. She played piano, sang with the Sweet Adelines, sang karaoke, and loved singing Crazy by Patsy Cline. She enjoyed dancing, bowling, golf, writing poetry, planting flowers in her yard, cooking, baking Christmas cookies, crossword puzzles, playing Bingo at Potawatomi, and loved her scratch-off lottery tickets. She enjoyed entertaining family and friends at home, loved her years of getting together with her yaya sisters for weekend get aways of shananigans and loved to travel and coordinate different cruises to go on with friends and family. She had a great sense of humor and was the life of the party. She was our Queen of making THE best Bloody Marys. Marlee cherished her family and friends. Marlee had THE biggest and giving heart. At Christmas she would invite friends over if they had no one to spend Christmas with. She would open her home to friends who had nowhere to live until they could get back on their feet. When she was diagnosed with COPD, she quit smoking and created a 'cigarette fund' and helped numerous friends, family, and strangers who needed a helping hand. Marlee loved the song Over the Rainbow by Eva Cassidy. Take a listen and you'll fall in love with the song too. 

Marlee was preceded in death by her parents Howard and Alice Matz-Averson, her stepfather Joe Averson, her stepmother Alice Persen-Matz, her brother Jerry Matz, her step sister-in-law Jackie Persen, her granddaughter Sarah Carlson, and her ex-husband Jack Wildrick. 

Marlee is survived by her loving husband Kirk Carlson of Hartland; her children Todd (Brenda) Wildrick of Hartland; Janelle (James Tordik) Schultz of Oconomowoc; Kirk's children Michael (Angie) Carlson of Shawano; Jenny (Andy) Caldwell of Nashotah; her siblings Duane (Joan) Matz of Menasha; Carla Matz of Dousman, stepbrother, Jim Persen of Waterford. 

Marlee is further survived by her grandchildren Tanner Hermanson (fiancee Alison Foglia); Clayton Schultz; Bryce Carlson; Nicky Caldwell; Ben Caldwell; and great-granddaughter Camryn Joan Hermanson; nephew Jay (Kristin) Matz; niece Robin (Ray) Moore; niece Kati (Dan) Bennett. 

Marlee also leaves behind many wonderful friends and family members. 

The family wants to thank Dr. Cheryl Serb for her many years of care, Heartland Hospice since February, and close friends who helped our family lovingly take care of Marlee. 

Marlee was passionate about donating to St. Jude Children's Research. If you would like, please donate to this charity in Memory of Marlee. https://www.stjude.org/donate/donate-to-st-jude.html

The memorial service for Marlee will be held at 2:00 pm on Friday, August 23, 2024, at Christ the King Lutheran Church (1600 N. Genesee Street, Delafield, WI 53018) with Rev. Jacqueline Cook officiating. Family and friends are invited to visit directly at church from 12:00 pm until the time of the service.

A Celebration of Life will follow the memorial service, beginning at 3:00 pm, at American Legion Post 294 (231 Goodwin Avenue, Hartland, WI 53029)

Perhaps they are not stars in the sky, but rather openings where our loved ones shine down to let us know they are happy. - Eskimo Proverb