Ila Jean Carlson, a long time Northboro resident, died December 6, 2017 at Elm Heights Care Facility due to deteriorating health.

She was born on March 2, 1928 in Jefferson City, Missouri as the oldest child of George Edward and Della (Patton) Loethen. She had six siblings; three brothers and three sisters. She attended St. Peters Parochial School graduating in 1946. She was employed by the Division of Welfare for the State of Missouri. In 1951 she met Howard Carlson who was stationed at the US Army base of Fort Leonard Wood, Missouri. On June 12, 1952 Howard and Ila Jean were united in marriage. They moved to a farm south of Northboro, Iowa residing there for 43 years where they had two children, Roger Wayne and Linda Kay. They subsequently retired to his family farm west of Northboro, Iowa. They lived on this farm until February 2017 when they moved to Windsor Manor, Shenandoah, Iowa.

She was active in the Northboro United Methodist Church, the United Methodist Women's group and a variety of social clubs. Her proudest moment came when she became "Grandma" following the birth of her grandchildren.

Ila Jean was preceded in death by her parents; brothers Jerome Loethen and Luther Loethen; twin sisters Doris and Delores Loethen; brother-in-laws Stanley Prenger and Paul Foster.

Surviving is her loving husband, Howard and her children Roger (Cindy) Carlson, Cedar Rapids, Iowa and Linda (James) Bane, Stuart, Iowa; three grandchildren Michael Bane, Steven and Paula Carlson; brother Richard "Pete" Loethen, Taos, Missouri; sister Rachel Prenger, Taos, Missouri; sister-in-law Jane Foster, Shenandoah, Iowa; sister-in-law Rosemary Loethen, The Villages, Florida and numerous cousins, nieces and nephews.

Celebration of life funeral service will be held 10:30 am, Monday, December 11, 2017 at the Northboro United Methodist Church in Northboro, Iowa.

Visitation with the family will be held from 2:00 pm until 4:00 pm, Sunday, December 10,2017 at the Hackett-Livingston Funeral Home in Shenandoah, Iowa.

Burial will be held the Union Grove Cemetery in Northboro, Iowa.

In lieu of flowers memorials may be directed to the Northboro United Methodist Church, St. Jude Children's Hospital or Shriners Hospitals for Children.