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Ann Barbara Nord Carlson, 87, died peacefully in the Mother Mary residence of the Aspirus Tivoli Community in Portage, WI, on Wednesday, January 26, 2022. Barbara was born on September 1, 1934, in Chicago, IL to Anna (née Andersdotter) and Wilhelm Nord who had immigrated from Sweden several years earlier. The family, including Barbara's younger sister, Linda, lived most of their lives in Chicago, except for two extended stays in Sweden when the family moved back when Barb was three and then again when she was eleven.  Barbara graduated at the top of her class from North Park Academy in 1951. She was active in the Swedish children's group Vårblomman and later with the Swedish Folk dancing group, Folkdanslaget, where she met her future husband, Harold Carlson; they continued in the Swedish Folk Dancers group where they made lifelong friends. Barbara and Harold married on December 18, 1954, at Ebeneezer Church in the Andersonville neighborhood of Chicago. They moved to Skokie in 1960 where they raised their three children, William Eric, Robert Alan, and Karin Ann. Barbara was involved in scouting and has two Eagle scouts.  She was a founding member and active at St. John's Lutheran Church in Lincolnwood and encouraged her children to be involved in the church youth group there. Barbara started as a service representative for Illinois Bell/Ameritech (now AT&T) and worked her way up to a management position, retiring in 1999. While at Ameritech, she especially enjoyed volunteering for the outside service group – the Pioneers, who worked closely with the Ronald McDonald House.  Prior to employment at the phone company, she worked as a server for Hackney's and Pyrenees Restaurants with co-workers who became her friends for life. In 1978, Barbara and Harold moved to Morton Grove where they were active members of the local chapter of the International Lion's Club and served as election judges. They belonged to the Independent Order of Svithiod (Verdandi Lodge #3), where they held several leadership positions and to which they recruited most of their family members, even the non-Swedes. Barb's love of her Swedish culture was lifelong. She entertained a continuous stream of relatives from Sweden and returned to be with family often.  She and Harold were active in Hagar Lodge and Verdandi Lodge #3.  They also volunteered their time at Vasa Park hosting many Scandinavian events!

They were loyal fans of the Cubs, Bears, and Blackhawks. Soon after Harold's death in 2011, Barbara moved with her daughter, Karin, to the family's "home away from home" in Briggsville, WI where she and Harold had spent many happy summers with their growing family and friends enjoying Lake Mason water sports and sunsets. Barbara moved to Tivoli in nearby Portage in 2016. She enjoyed visits from her family, especially when they brought chocolate shakes from Culvers, puzzles and card games, artwork from her great-grandchildren, or her favorite Swedish treats; the staff particularly enjoyed her quick sense of humor.  In Briggsville, Barbara frequently attended services at St. Mary Help of Christians Church; Tivoli visits by the pastoral administrators, Srs. Jovita and Anita, as well as by pastor Fr. Gary were much appreciated by her family.  Barbara was preceded in death by her parents, Wilhelm Nord and Anna Nord Larsson, her husband Harold Carlson, her brother-in-law Allan Reinken, Sr., her son-in-law Todd Schmidt, and many other beloved family and friends. Her memory will be cherished by her children: Dr. William Carlson (Dr. Carroll Ann Brennan) of Stuart, FL, Robert Carlson (Dorothy) of Arlington Heights, IL, Karin Schmidt (Todd) of Barrington, IL; grandchildren, Steve, Erick (Amy), Sean, Colleen (Marc Chappron), Katie (Pat Hourihane), Brynn, Kassie, Clare, Spencer, and Riley; great-grandchildren, Ryan and Emily Chappron, Patrick and Alex Hourihane; by her sister, Linda Reinken; by her nephew Allan Reinken Jr. and niece Cheryl Reinken and their children; and by many relatives and friends throughout the US and in Sweden. Funeral arrangements have been entrusted to Nelson Funeral Home, 820 Talcott Rd., Park Ridge, IL 60068. Visitation will be held Thursday, February 3, from 9-11 a.m., with a funeral liturgy at 11 a.m celebrated by the Reverend Dr. David Nelson, and burial to follow at St. Peter's Cemetery in Skokie. To prevent the spread of COVID-19, masks will be required inside the funeral home even if vaccinated. If you are not vaccinated or are medically vulnerable and choose not to attend in person, we welcome you to join us virtually; the link for the livestream event can be found by clicking here .  A celebration of life will be held this summer in Briggsville, WI when we can hopefully gather in a more "normal" fashion. Donations in memory of Ann Barbara Carlson would be appreciated to the Svithiod College Scholarship Program, 5518 W. Lawrence Ave., Chicago, IL 60630; to Ronald McDonald Children's House Charities , or to a charity of your choice.  For information, Nelson Funeral Home at 847-823-5122