Elaine Carlson passed away peacefully at home with family on Saturday, May 31, 2025. She was vibrant, talented, patient, compassionate, kind, artistic, cheery, positive, etc. She was the ‘center of the world’ for her adoring husband of 55 years, Reid Carlson. She was born in Spanish Fork, Utah on July 18, 1948 to James E. and Darlene J. Hathaway. She was educated in Spanish Fork schools and attended BYU in Elementary Education with an art minor.
She was blessed with many talents and seemed to excel at anything she was involved with. She was best known for her beautiful quilting and needlework skills. She loved volunteering and helping others. Elaine started the literacy center in Mapleton and organized tutors to help children improve their reading skills; she did this for many years. She maintained a strong testimony of the restored gospel and the atonement of Jesus Christ. Reid and Elaine served a mission in New York at the Seneca Lake Youth Camp.
She lived a graceful, uncomplaining life with a hidden medical condition, but she never let it slow her down. Reid finally realized Elaine’s reaction to life’s challenges was a consistent action, ‘Rise Up’. Her example is something we all can learn from. Regardless of what life throws at you, ‘Rise Up’, you can do it.
Reid and Elaine loved to travel together. When traveling, Elaine would make sure that art galleries were stopped at. She visited all 50 states and 37 different countries, many of them multiple times. Elaine made friends easily everywhere she went. They lived in Oklahoma and North Carolina before building their home in Mapleton.
Reid and Elaine have two children, Andrea Boswell (Ephraim) in Springville, Patrick Carlson in Mapleton and a granddaughter Riya Roberts (Brant) of Springville. Elaine also was involved in the lives with other children where she filled in as the Grandmother figure. Elaine was preceded in death by both her parents, a granddaughter Willow Boswell, and a brother Wendell. She is survived by her sisters Millie Cannon (Brent) of Salem and Emily Clark (Paul) of Orem, along with brothers Larry Hathaway of Spanish Fork, Lanny Hathaway of Spanish Fork, Michael Hathaway (Valerie) of Oak City, and Gordon Hathaway of Salt Lake City.
Funeral service for Elaine Carlson will be Tuesday, June 10th at 11:00 AM. A viewing will be Monday night from 6:00 to 8:00 PM and again before the funeral from 9:30 to 10:45 AM. Both viewings and the service will be held in the chapel at 970 No. 400 East Mapleton. Interment will be in the Spanish Fork cemetery.
E-mpathic
L-ove
A-rtistic
I-nvolved
N-ature Lover
E-nlightener
6 Condolences for Elaine Hathaway Carlson
Condolences(6)
Nicolas & Dominique says
June 4, 2025 at 7:59 amDear Reid,
We are very sorry to hear this sad news. Elaine was like a night light beside you, discreet yet watching. We will keep a delightful memory of her.
We share your pain and are with you wholeheartedly.
With our friendly thoughts,
Nicolas & Dominique
Siggy & David says
June 6, 2025 at 8:10 pmDear Reid we were very sorry to hear the sad news about Elaine. We remember our day together with you both in London a few years ago with fondness and send our love to you over the water now! David & Siggy x x
Darrell & Elaine Snavely says
June 8, 2025 at 7:00 pmDear Reid, Elaine and I are very sorry to hear about Elaine’s passing. You and your family are in our thoughts and prayers. Darrell & Elaine
Darrell Snavely says
June 8, 2025 at 7:00 pmDear Reid, Elaine and I are very sorry to hear about Elaine’s passing. You and your family are in our thoughts and prayers. Darrell & Elaine
Cas & Ingeborg says
June 10, 2025 at 5:28 pmDear Reid,
We are with our thoughts with you during the service today.
We wish you and your family lots of strength.
Ingeborg & Cas
Terri Edmunds says
June 11, 2025 at 5:50 amI was sorry to hear of Elaine’s passing. I worked with Elaine as a tutor at the literacy center in Mapleton. She was always so kind and supportive of everyone there. She was a sweet lady.
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