Laura L. Carlson

Laura L. Carlson, 88, died May 12, 2016, at Minneola Long Term Care. She was born on July 18, 1927, in Bloom, the daughter of Swanson and Nellie Shelor. Laura graduated from Bloom High School and studied Accounting at Kansas State University after World War II, often the only woman in her business classes. She graduated with a business degree from St. Mary of the Plains in 1971, and worked as an accountant and business woman throughout her life.

Over the years, Laura was active on the Planning Commission, was an award-winning president of Dodge City Business and Professional Women, and proudly served as a Ford County Commissioner. She would often pour over budgets to obtain her goal of being frugal yet progressive with taxpayer money.

Laura was never content to accept injustices and always stressed the importance of being an informed and active citizen. She was one of the original petitioners for the South Bypass and was instrumental in obtaining lighting for the road to the hospital when it was first built. She worked hard to improve funding for the county EMS and, after intensive research, helped defeat various projects that would have been a threat to the local environment.

Her greatest joy in life was her immediate and extended family. She lived her life for her family, supported her beloved husband’s career as an artist, and gave unconditional love and encouragement to her children and grandchildren.

Laura was married to her husband, Ted, for 62 years before his passing in 2011. She is survived by their three children: Rhonda (Kevan), Todd (Vicky), and Troy (Denise). She was the proud grandmother of Shanna Sloyer, Laura and Kayla Patriquin, and Elizabeth and Teddy Carlson; great-grandchildren, Ryan and Kate Sloyer; step-grandchildren and great-grandchildren, Kendra Kruse, Kaitlyn (Mark) Fox, Helen Phillips, Gavin and Atticus Gough, Lincoln Fox, and Leandra Mondragon. Laura was preceded in death by her brothers, Marion, Claud, and Dean Shelor.

Funeral service will be held at Swaim Funeral Home in Dodge City on Tuesday, May 17 at 2:00pm with Rev. Dick Robbins presiding. Burial will follow at Maple Grove Cemetery in Dodge City. Visitation will be at Swaim Funeral Home on Monday, May 16th from noon to 8pm with family receiving friends from 4pm-6pm. Memorials in memory of Laura can be made to Minneola Long Term Care-Box 10, Minneola, KS 67865. Thoughts and memories may be shared in the online guest book at www.swaimfuneralhome.com.