Jill Carlson

Obituaries

August 1, 2014 - 12:00 AM

Jill Ann (Frechette) Carlson, Manhattan, 52, died July 26, 2014, at Oklahoma State University Medical Center-Tulsa. Jill was born on June 29, 1962, in Milwaukee, Wis., to James and Elois Frechette. She grew up in Overland Park and graduated from Shawnee Mission West High School. She graduated from Pittsburg State University with a bachelor’s degree in nursing. She later received her master of science in nursing from the University of Kansas. She then specialized in family practice nursing at Fort Hays State University and became board certified in Pediatrics.
On June 14, 1986, Jill was married to Eric Carlson at Holy Cross Catholic Church, Overland Park. She worked as a nurse in the Kansas City area before they moved to Hutchinson, then Hays and finally Manhattan in 1999 with their five children.
Jill was a member of various professional nursing organizations and was devoted to her career.  She taught nursing classes at Fort Hays State and was instrumental in founding the Hays First Care Clinic. She most recently was the Pediatric Nurse Practitioner at Geary Community Hospital Pediatrics Clinic. She was a preceptor and inspired many young nurses to follow their passion of caring for others. Her caring heart extended to many but the love she had for her husband and children was greatest. She was a member of St. Paul’s Episcopal Church and volunteered at her church’s secondhand store. Despite having lupus and related complications for the past 15 years, she worked, cared for her family and encouraged her children in their activities and education.
Jill is survived by her husband, Dr. Eric A. Carlson of the home; children Carissa, Monica, Lee, Jacob and Lauren,  Manhattan; mother Elois Frechette, Overland Park; sisters Karen (Chris) Conklin, Chanute, and Lynne (Grant) Hills, Spring Hill; sisters-in-law Becky Carlson and Sarah Bannister, Iola, sister- and brother-in-law Anna (Tim) Prockish, Salina; and many nieces and nephews.
A memorial service will be at 11 a.m. Aug. 9 at St. Paul’s Episcopal Church, 601 Poyntz Avenue, Manhattan, officiated by Father Patrick Funston. The family requests bright colors be worn instead of black. The family will take Jill’s ashes to Hawaii, her favorite place.
Jill’s favorite flower was the baby sweetheart pink rose. In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be made to the Cystic Fibrosis Foundation at 6931 Arlington Rd. Suite 200 Bethesda, MD 20814 or online at www.cff.org.

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