Janet Carlson

Janet M. Carlson of Erie, PA, passed away peacefully in her sleep at age 95 on Saturday, May 13, 2017.  She was born in Czechoslovakia on Dec. 12 1921, and migrated to the United States as a young child, living on a farm in rural Wisconsin. She was educated in a one-room schoolhouse, and she grew up helping to translate her native language to English for her family. She was married to her late husband, Edward B. Carlson of Chicago, IL, in 1945 and moved to Erie, PA in 1949, where she raised her three children and became best known for her love of biology, education, cooking, gardening and travel.
Stressing the need for a college education and already a grandmother, Janet earned a Bachelor of Science in Biology from Villa Maria College in 1967, where she also became a member of Beta Beta Beta (TriBeta) National Biological Honor Society. She continued her education soon after, earning a Master of Education degree from Edinboro University in 1971 and went on to teach biology at Villa Maria College and McDowell Intermediate High School for 22 years. In retirement, she traveled the world, visiting Europe, Scandinavia, Asia, Australia, and Central America. One of her favorite places she visited was the Galapagos Islands, full of plant life and animals she’d long studied and taught.
She was a member of The First Presbyterian Church of the Covenant and a founding member of the Erie Chapter of the Woman's Auxiliary of the U.S. Power Squadron, an organization that promotes safe boating. She loved to tell stories, particularly of life growing up on a farm, and always brought pies, cakes and cookies along with her to family gatherings. She was most known for her unmatchable chocolate pie, and also for her rocky-road brownies, wienerschnitzel, cranberry salad and many other dishes that made holidays special.
She is preceded in death by her parents, Frank and Francis Mares, a sister, Mary Kelly, and husband Edward B. Carlson. She is survived by three sons: Donald R. Carlson and his wife Judy of Trinity, TX , Dennis E. Carlson and his wife Nancy of Erie, PA, and Thomas E. Carlson and his wife Sheree of Kingwood, TX. She is further survived by 6 grandchildren: Mark Carlson and his wife Paula of Trinity, TX; Jeffrey Carlson and his wife Mary Ann of Warren, PA; Eric Carlson and his wife Leanne of Erie, PA; Catherine Amick and her husband Brian of Erie, PA; Michael Carlson of Houston, TX; and Michelle Wrobel and her husband Michael of Spring, TX along with 10 great-grandchildren. All will miss her dearly.
Special thanks to the staff of Saint Mary’s at Asbury Ridge for their excellent care of Janet late in her life.
Friends are invited to call on the family at the Burton Westlake Funeral Home 3801 W. 26th Street (at Powell Ave) on Wednesday, May 17th  from 4-6 p.m. and are invited to a service there on Thursday, May 18th  at 1:00 p.m. Burial will follow at Laurel Hill Cemetery. 
In lieu of flowers, the family asks that donations be made to Shriners Hospital for Children 1645 W. 8th Street, Erie, PA 16505 or the Humane Society of Northwest PA 2407 Zimmerly Rd., Erie, PA 16506.