Obituary of Janice Joy Carlson

Janice Joy Carlson (formerly Jan Goudreau) February 27, 1938 – January 1, 2017. Resident of White Bear Lake, Minnesota. Jan passed away in the presence of her three children after a courageous battle with lung disease. She was 78. Jan is survived by her three children and their spouses, Jim & Sue Goudreau, Nan & Ken Jackson, Jeff & Jennifer Goudreau, her 8 grandchildren and 1 newly born great grandson who she got to meet just weeks before her death. She was preceded in death by her husband, Ron Carlson, her parents, James and Lillian Rokos, and her sisters, Rita Gregoline and Margie Stair. Jan was born in St. Charles, Illinois in 1938. She moved to the West Coast in the late 50s when she married Richard Goudreau, first settling in Seattle, Washington and later moving to Newark, California, where she and Richard raised their three children. Jan and Richard were active members of St. Edwards Catholic Church and Moreau Catholic High School and made many, many wonderful friends. Later in life, she married Ron Carlson and she relocated to Bloomington, Indiana, where she lived and enjoyed a life of new friends, golf and a new found love of Univ of Wisconsin Badgers football. After the death of her husband, Jan moved to Minnesota to be close to family. Even though her health was declining, her last years were filled with family, fun and even more new friends. Everyone loved Jan! She was a devoted mother, a fun loving grandmother, a graceful hostess, a wonderful chef, a loyal friend, and an inspiring and understanding mother-in-law. She loved to host parties, attend parties and she never passed on a dirty martini. She lived life to the fullest and was one classy lady! Her wish was for us to throw a party in her honor and celebrate her life. Bay Area - Jim and Sue Goudreau will be hosting an open house on January 21 from 1:00 pm to 3:00 pm in her honor. For more information call or e-mail Jim at 510-364-7563 /Jim.goudreaux@gmail.com. Minnesota - In July there will be a celebration of Jan’s life at the lakeshore beach of Jeff and Jennifer Goudreau. For more information call Jeff or email Jen at 651-357-6288 /Jengoud827@gmail.com. Donations to COPD Foundation http://www.copdfoundation.org or to the Susan G. Komen Breast Cancer Foundation www.komen.org are appreciated by Jan’s family.