Laila June Carlsen's Obituary
Laila June Svege Carlsen was born on January 13, 1933, in Ballard, Washington to Lars and Jorgine Svege. Her parents had settled in this Scandinavian fishing community in Seattle, Washington after immigrating from Norway in 1929.
Laila was the second born of four children: Stanley Olav Svege, Margaret Ann Svege Strandoo (Margie), and Arlene Joan Svege Holcomb, (Jeannie). She met Norman Charles Carlsen when she was 15 years old at Ballard High School. They married three years later, on January 12, 1951, at Ballard First Lutheran Church, the family’s place of worship, where she had also been baptized and confirmed. Laila followed her mother’s model of leading her family while Norman was away commercial fishing in Alaska for several years. Her Norwegian heritage remained a large part of her life and all her friends and family benefited from her gracious hospitality, her energetic and tenacious spirit, her exceptional culinary skills, and her amazing baked of Scandinavian cookies and pastries.
In November 1951, son Jeffery Lance was born, followed by Kathy Jorgine in June 1954, and John Norman in October 1958. The family moved to Des Moines, Washington when Norman gave up his fishing career to spend more time with his family. They soon became active members of Grace Lutheran Church, in Des Moines, WA. Laila continued her life’s calling as a devoted wife and mother, a fastidious homemaker, and faithful friend to all she met. At the same time, she volunteered extensively in many church activities, with PTA, Head Start, Bible Study Fellowship, and mentoring relationships. Everything she did was done with a standard of excellence, including her work as a waitress where she encouraged her customers to “eat healthy.” Her love of travel and new experiences took her to many parts of the world with Norman; Germany, Israel, Alaska, Hawaii, Norway, Canada, and all around the United States. After Norman’s death, she traveled to Costa Rica twice and to Israel again.
Her loyalty and commitment to her family and friends never failed and she always was available to listen, to deeply care, to help out and to pray. Above all, her steadfast love and faith in her Lord and Savior, Jesus Christ compelled her to shine her light wherever she went, and to whomever she met.
Her courage and resiliency allowed her to start a new life as a widow after her beloved Norman passed away in 2006. Leaving her dream house on Hood Canal and her friends at Brinnon Community Church, she quickly began her ministry at Edgewood Bible Church, starting (and continuing) a grief/support group, and participating in Christian Women’s Club, Bible Studies, and other church activities of service.
Her love of her children, her grandchildren, and her great grandchildren, in addition to friends new and old, and extended family enriched everyone who knew her. All were blessed by her continued gifts of Norwegian cookies and treats especially at holiday time!
Laila stepped into heaven and was reunited with her Lord, with Norman, and all who had gone before, at age 85, in her daughter, Kathy’s home, on August 13, 2018. She was preceded in death by her parents, her siblings, and her husband. Her life, her love, and her legacy will live on in all who knew her.
“Her children arise and call her blessed;
her husband also, and he praises her,
Many women do noble things,
but you surpass them all.”
Proverbs 31:28 – 29
A MEMORIAL SERVICE is planned for
September 7, 2018, at 12:00 Noon, lunch following
Edgewood Bible Church, 1720 Meridian Ave. E., Edgewood, WA 98371
MEMORIAL GIFTS: Mom had a love and passion for ministries serving children and families. The family asks that in lieu of flowers, memorial gifts be made to one of the following organizations:
GRACIA MISSIONS
Serving children and families in Latin America.
PO Box 1461, Cannon Beach, Oregon 97110 c/o Adam Carlsen
CANNON BEACH CONFERENCE CENTER
PO Box 398, Cannon Beach, Oregon 97110
What’s your fondest memory of Laila?
What’s a lesson you learned from Laila?
Share a story where Laila's kindness touched your heart.
Describe a day with Laila you’ll never forget.
How did Laila make you smile?