Opal Alice Carlson

Opal Alice Carlson, 94, of Manhattan, died Thursday, March 15th, at the Meadowlark Hills Retirement Community. Born in Graham County near Hill City, Kansas on February 15, 1924, she was the daughter of the late Grace Elizabeth (Bell) and John R. Keith. She graduated from Morland High School, worked for H.D. Lee in Salina, then attended secretarial school in Manhattan before going to work for JC Penny. On June 15, 1952, she married the love of her life Clifford H. Carlson. She enjoyed caring for her family, needlework, sewing, keeping a large vegetable garden, canning, and sharing their produce with friends and family. She was a member of First Lutheran Church in Manhattan. She and her husband faithfully served in the bus ministry for 30 years and delivered groceries for the Bread Basket. Opal is survived by her husband Clifford H. Carlson, her two daughters, Teresa Gail, wife of Joe Eissler, of Alma, Kansas; Ronda Kay, wife of David Reid, of Roeland Park, Kansas; and a son, Gary David Carlson, of Hazelwood, MO; seven grandchildren, Barak John Carlson, Ruth Louise Reynolds, Christina Grace Carlson, Erin Annette Reid, Alexis Morgan Reid, Michael David Reid, and Luke Joseph Eissler. Opal is preceded in death by her parents; her two sisters Norma L. Albright, and Reba Linder, and her two brothers, Marvin L. Keith and Bernard J. Keith. Family visitation will be from 6:00 PM to 8:00 PM on Thursday, March 22nd at Irvin-Parkview Funeral Home and Cremation in Manhattan, KS A service will be held at 10:00 am on Friday, March 23rd at First Lutheran Church in Manhattan, with Rev. Jerry Reynolds officiating. Burial to follow at Pleasant Valley Cemetery, Manhattan, KS. The family requests any donations be directed to First Lutheran Church in Manhattan, KS. Arrangements have been entrusted to Irvin-Parkview Funeral Home and Cremation.