Rita Carlson

Rita Roth Carlson, a beloved wife, mother, sister, and friend, went to be with her Lord on May 21, 2023 at her home in Idaho Falls, ID.  She was born April 19, 1936 in Oxford, Nebraska, the middle child, to Chris and Lelah Roth. She attended schools in Furnas and Kearney Counties and graduated with Honors from Axtell High School in Axtell, Nebraska in 1953.

In 1957, she graduated as an RN from St Mary’s School of Nursing in Rochester, MN. After graduation, she visited her best friend from nursing school in Swan Valley, ID and decided to stay. She was employed at Sacred Heart Hospital until her marriage to her beloved and dearest treasure, Harold Carlson, on December 29, 1959.  They lived and worked for over 63 years side-by-side on the family farm in New Sweden. A highlight in Rita’s life was when, on July 2, 2012, the Carlson Farm was designated an Idaho Century Farm by the Idaho State Historical Society noting the family farm, established in 1903, had been owned and operated by the same family for over 100 years.

Rita was an active member of Eagle Rock Baptist Church. She had a personal relationship with the Lord Jesus Christ and loved memorizing bible verses. She also loved cooking, her ladies coffee club, refinishing furniture, gardening, mowing, and getting rid of every weed in sight.

She is survived by her husband, Harold, her two daughters Holly Carlson (Boise, ID) and Heidi B. Carlson (Brent Vermeer, Phoenix AZ), a granddaughter Sara Rankin (Boise, ID), a great-granddaughter Zoë Rankin (Boise, ID), her younger sister and best friend Dorla “DeeDee” Lindstrom (Elm Creek, NE). She was preceded in death by her parents, older brother Paul Roth (Carol, Kearney, NE), and her brother-in-law Larry Lindstrom.

Funeral services will be held at Eagle Rock Baptist Church on Tuesday, May 30, 2023 at 11:00 am. Burial to follow at the New Sweden Cemetery.

Special thanks to Aspen Home Health and Hospice for their kind and gentle care.

In lieu of flowers, the family requests donations be made to: Our Daily Bread at donations.ourdailybread.org or donor’s choice.