Barbara Carlson

Barbara Carlson, 73, died on July 9, 2012, surrounded by her family in Wasilla.

A celebration of life in memory of Barbara is at 1 p.m., Aug. 5 at VFW Post 9365, 301 E. Lake View Dr., Wasilla. Barbara was laid to rest at Fairmount Memorial Park in Spokane, Wash.

Barbara was born Feb. 17, 1939, in Oklahoma to Wilbur and Helen Stone.

Bob and Barbara were married for 57 years.

The family wrote: “She was the best woman we have ever known. She always had the best advice and knew all the right things to say. She was a true angel to our family and everyone who knew her. She was the most compassionate, caring and beautiful person. She is loved and missed by so many, and will forever be in our hearts and live on through our memories.”

Barbara had the best of both worlds — Spokane and Alaska.

Preceding her in death was her son, Robby Carlson; and parents, Wilbur and Helen Stone.

Surviving are her loving husband, Robert D. Carlson; daughter, Deborah G. Carlson Johnson; grandson, James R. Johnson; granddaughters, Misty J. Johnson and Karissa Dablemont; great-grandchildren, Chastity, Dominic, Dylan, Tayvin, Trinity and Kairi, all of Alaska; sister, Linda Manti of Seattle; sisters-in-law, Joyce Sampson, Doris Carlson, Jeannine Tumlinson and Ruth Carlson; and numerous nieces, nephews, aunts and uncles.

Arrangements were by Valley Funeral Home and Crematory. An obituary and guestbook are online at alaskanfuneral.com.