Jean Shirley (Powers) Carlson

Jean Shirley (Powers) Carlson of Cadillac died of complications from lung cancer on Thursday, March 8, 2012. She was 87. Mrs. Carlson was born on October 6, 1924 to Hess and Henrietta (Eldridge) Powers. She married Darwin Carlson on November 8, 1945. The couple met when Darwin returned home after serving in World War II and they were married for 66 years. Jean graduated from Cadillac High School in 1941 and studied art at the Ray-Vogue School of Art in Chicago. From there she attended Stephens College in Columbia, Missouri, where she majored in art and was elected to the National Honorary Fraternity of Art, Tau Sigma Tau. Jean and Darwin\'s love for each other and family have permeated the lives of their children and many grandchildren. Although an accomplished artist and career woman, she was happiest cooking large family meals, creating colorful water color and oil paintings, walking the beaches of Anna Maria Island in search of sea shells, and golfing with her friends. She won numerous art awards and exhibited in New York City and Grand Island, Nebraska, where she painted a mural for the city\'s municipal building. She was a member of the Anna Maria Island Art Guild where she exhibited and sold her work for many years. She is a founding member of the Cadillac Area Artist\'s Association. Before starting her family, Jean worked as a reporter for both the Cadillac News and the Grand Rapids Press. She also enjoyed a long career at the Cadillac Wexford Public Library, where she cataloged books for the Mid-Michigan Library League. She was an avid golfer who enjoyed summer golf league with her many friends. She also enjoyed playing cards at the Elks with the girls. She has been a member of the First Presbyterian Church of Cadillac since 1950. Survivors include her husband Darwin Carlson; children Craig (Sabrina) Carlson of Cape Coral, Fla.; Martha (Hermann) Suhs of Cadillac; Sue Carlson of Anna Maria Island, Fla.; sister Betty (Robert) Kendall of Jackson, Mich. and many nieces, nephews, grandchildren and friends. She was preceded in death by her parents, Henrietta Johnson of Cadillac, Hess Powers of Seattle, Wash. and step-father Hollis Johnson of Cadillac. A memorial service will be held at 1 p.m. on Wednesday, March 14, 2012 at the First Presbyterian Church of Cadillac. Friends may meet the family from 6 to 8 p.m. on Tuesday, March 13, 2012 at the Peterson Funeral Home in Cadillac. Memorial contributions may be made to the First Presbyterian Church of Cadillac. An online guestbook is available at www.petersonfh.com.

Jean Shirley (Powers) Carlson

October 6, 1924 - March 8, 2012