Betty Lois (Heath) Carlson passed away peacefully on December 31, 2016 at Rensselaer Care Center with family by her side. Jesus called her home after a long life of good and faithful service.

Betty was born on March 27, 1929 to Lucius James (“L.J.”) Heath and Theresa Pearl (Woods) Heath in Sterling, Indiana. Her family moved to Morocco when she was 2. Betty attended Morocco schools, graduating from High School in 1947 where she enjoyed being a cheerleader. She then attended St. Elizabeth School of Nursing in Lafayette, Indiana, graduating in 1950. She moved to Baltimore, Maryland where she worked at John Hopkins Hospital in atomic nursing. She then moved to Indianapolis, working in the Veterans Hospital including the treatment of polio patients, which she found fascinating. She was a registered nurse for 66 years.

In 1954 she married Victor Eugene Carlson in Morocco, who survives. She worked in local physician’s offices, then George Ade Memorial Hospital when it opened in 1960. She retired from George Ade in 1979 after numerous positions including Director of Nurses. She most loved working in the ‘extended care’ with elderly patients.

Betty was extremely active in the community, leading or volunteering in groups including Cub Scouts, Brownies, Boy Scouts, Girl Scouts, Room Mother, Sunday School, Vacation Bible School, 4-H, Just Say No Drug Program, North Newton Band and Athletic Booster Clubs, Morocco Literary Club, Morocco United Methodist Women’s Group, and the Morocco Homecoming Committee. She ran the Morocco UMW Thrift Shop for several years. She was named the Morocco High School Outstanding Alumni in 1984.

Betty’s impact on the health community included serving on the Newton County Health Board for 27 years. She was active in the American Heart Association, American Cancer Society, American Lung Association and the American Diabetes Association. She also taught Nurse’s Aide classes for numerous years, influencing many young women to obtain nursing degrees. Betty was also a highly utilized source of medical information for family and friends. She had a large number of hobbies and interests (raising Boston Terriers, attending yard sales, collecting donations for missions, gardening, reading, writing letters and cards and talking to her family and friends on the phone and in e-mail). She and Vic enjoyed participating in parades with their draft horses and covered wagon. They were recognized as the Grand Marshalls of the Morocco Homecoming Parade. She was very proud of the farming enterprise she developed with Vic.

Betty is survived by her husband Vic; son, Victor Scott (Carol) Carlson of Morocco; daughter, Kimberly (Steve) Somermeyer of Danville, IN; granddaughter, Kyra; grandson Matt (Jennifer) Carlson all of Morocco; grandson, Justin(Amberly) Somermeyer of Greenwood; granddaughter, Shea Davis of Indianapolis IN; great grandchildren Lyle Harrington of Morocco; David, Kayla and Aubree Florian of Morocco and Gavin Davis of Indianapolis. Her very special sister, Joy Bartholomew of Fowler, Indiana, also survives her.

Betty was preceded in death by her parents, sisters Gurnie Margaret Cushman and Mary Jane Gilmore; and granddaughter Jamie Marie Carlson.

Visitation will be held at Steinke Funeral Home in Morocco from 3-7PM (CST) on Wednesday, January 4, 2017. Funeral services will be held at the Morocco First United Methodist Church at 10AM on Thursday, January 5, 2017. Rev. Wayne Williams officiating. Interment will follow at Oakland Cemetery.

In lieu of flowers, the family requests donations to the Morocco First United Methodist Church, 203 S. Clay St., Morocco, IN 47963; or to the Jamie Marie Carlson Memorial Scholarship, 5345 S. 650 W., Morocco, IN 47963. Share memories and condolences online at www.SteinkeFuneralHome.com.

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