Marit Solveig (nee Gudesen) Carlson, a longtime resident of Northbrook, Illinois, and recently of Naperville, Illinois, passed away on February 16, 2023. She was born on July 3, 1924 to Hans Peder and Anna (née Strand) Gudesen in Selbak, Norway.

Marit spent her youth in Ostfold Norway, of which six years were during the depression and then five years under German occupation during the second World War. Despite the many hardships of those years, Marit thrived in a loving Christian home, surrounded by four siblings, brothers Kjell, Per Arne and Gunnar, and sister Bodil. Her father, Hans Peder, was a baker in the town of Selbak, Norway. Marit and her sister helped in the bakery, developing the skills that were used to bless friends and family in the following years. Her family believes that Marit contributed to the growth of Gudesen bakery, which ultimately became the largest family bakery in Norway. During her teenage years Marit took a job with neighbor and friend Helle Hansen working in the office at his clothing firm until her marriage.

In addition to skiing in the mountains and visiting the family cabin (hytte) on the coast of the Oslo Fjord, Marit attended local Borge Kyrke church in Selbak with her family. It was there she was baptised and confirmed. She was also an active participant in the local Christian youth group Yngre's Ungdom where she met her future husband Henry Thorbjorn Carlson of Moum, Norway. Being musical, both Henry and Marit were involved in the Furuly Bedehus string band.  Henry and Marit soon began a courtship and fell in love that resulted in marriage on June 2, 1951.

Desiring to show his new bride off to his American family, Henry, and Marit, decided to take a honeymoon trip to Chicago, Illinois, planning to stay one year. The honeymoon trip never ended, however, as they ultimately made their home in the Uptown neighborhood of Chicago, where a son Arne Henry, and a daughter Linda May were born into the family. Marit and her family attended Norwegian services at Salem Evangelical Free Church, Chicago enjoying the fellowship of many immigrant Norwegian friends. In 1975 she became associated with Bethel Free Church, Chicago.  Over the past six years Marit participated at The Compass Church, Naperville.

Marit was never idle; in her tiny kitchen she was a prolific baker of cakes, rolls, cookies and pastries for her family and friends. She sewed her childrens' clothes, weaved on her loom, and knit Norwegian sweaters for her family, their spouses and her grandchildren. At age 60, with a determined spirit, Marit decided to take up the Norwegian painting art of Rosemaling.  Excelling as an artist, many of Marit's paintings now adorn the homes of relatives, friends and customers.

Marit loved the Lord and reflected God's grace throughout her life. Always positive, never complaining, without worry and ever loving, Marit exhibited the fruits of a relationship with God through her Saviour Jesus Christ. During her last years, right up to her passing, Marit was happy, at peace and singing praises to God, never in doubt as to where she would spend eternity.

Marit was preceded in death by her parents, siblings, and an infant baby Robert Peder Carlson. She is survived by her loving husband Henry, son Arne, daughter Linda (nee Carlson, Jon) Brorson, grandchildren Cassandra (nee Carlson, Christian) Goehring, Kirsten (nee Carlson, Marty) Schwandt, Kristin (nee Brorson, Ryan) Johnson, Karl (Greta) Brorson, Erik (Grace) Brorson, Ingrid Brorson, and ten great grandchildren Annalise and Emerson Goehring, Elsa, Solveig, Britta, and Henrik Johnson, Svea, Ida and Aksel Brorson and Linnea Brorson.

A memorial service will be held on Saturday February 25, 2023 at 11:00 a.m. at The Compass Church, Wheaton Campus, 520 East Roosevelt Road, Wheaton IL 60189. Friends may visit with the family from 10:00 until 11:00 and following the service.  In lieu of flowers, donations can be made to The Compass Church .

A live stream of the service will be available here: Funeral Service for Marit Carlson