Updated 2017.

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Ruth Ann (Brood) Carlson
Address, phone, email
Spouse: Richard (Rick) Carlson
Children: Allisa, Alan, Patrick
Occupation: Retired 5th Grade Teacher

2017

Well, 50 years! How to sum that up ,hmmm. When I retired I summed it up as living my life in 20 year sections. The first 20 in the Moscow and Viola area with most of that time spent on our small farm at Viola with my parents Walt and Maude Brood and my brothers Carl and Neil. Busy years living off our small farm, milking cows, growing a garden, canning ,driving grain truck and working on 4-H projects. Little did I know then that that style of living would become so popular. Attended U of I after high school and met my soul mate, Rick Carlson. We married in 1969. Graduated 2 years later. I received BS in Agriculture as one of the first two women to graduate in Animal Science.

In the next twenty we lived in several different areas. Starting at Priest Lake, Idaho where I worked on a women’s brush crew with my trusty chainsaw. Our first child, Allisa, was born and then Rick took a transfer with the Forest Service to Troy, MT. There our second child, Alan, was born and we again transferred this time to Plains, Mt. I knew this would be our forever home. Rivers, lakes and mountains to keep my outdoorsy husband happy and agricultural land for me. Our third child, Patrick, arrived soon after. Busy years with 3 children in 4 ½ years.

Just before our youngest entered kindergarten I returned to school at the University of Montana to complete work for my elementary teaching certificate. I then taught 5th grade at Plains Elementary for 20 years. We moved to our current home about the same time and I was able to raise a small flock of sheep. Along with my wonderful family, working this farm with garden and flowers has been my joy.

I retired in 2009 and began the next of my 20 year sections. Retirement has been great! We added a camper and fishing boat so most weeks in good weather find us out and about on the lakes and campgrounds. We have added two daughter-in-laws along the way and four wonderful grandchildren from age 2-7. Our daughter, Allisa, lives in Okanogan, WA , son and daughter-in-law, Alan and JoAnna along with Cadance and Kevin live in Potlatch, ID, and son and daughter-in-law Patrick and Amber live in Salem, OR along with Grant and Ryker. So, with kids in 3 states we are usually on the road once a month to visit.

Looking forward to the reunion as it still feels like home to come back to the Palouse