Naida J. Carlson, age 93, of Willmar, passed away Saturday, April 4, at Bethesda Grand in Willmar.

Visitation will begin at 10 a.m. followed by her celebration of life service at 11 a.m. on Friday, April 17, at Vinje Lutheran Church. A private interment will be at the Faith Lutheran Church columbarium. Arrangements are entrusted to Peterson Brothers Funeral Home. www.petersonbrothers.com

Naida Jean (Barringer) Carlson was born on November 10, 1932, to Lyle and Anna (Anderson) Barringer on their family farm in Clotho, MN. She graduated in 1950 from Eagle Bend High School. After high school, she moved to Minneapolis and met her husband, Ernie Carlson. They married in February of 1954 and were married for 69 years. Naida and Ernie spent several years raising their family in Coon Rapids before moving to Aitkin in 1977. Naida always had time for children and enjoyed working as a paraprofessional at an early childhood program in Aitkin for 17 years, retiring in 1995. Naida and Ernie enjoyed winters in Donna, TX for 17 years where they enjoyed spending time with family and friends. In 2003, they moved to Willmar. Naida was an active member of Vinje Lutheran Church and the Willmar Community Center. Naida was known for her cooking and baking, keeping an immaculate house, being an avid card player and for her service to others in the community. Her five grandchildren were her greatest joy.

Naida is survived by her family, including her children, Steve and Teri Carlson, Patti and Joe Sauer, and Ann and Matt Bisek. She was a cherished grandmother to Tony and Katie Sauer and Hannah, Madeline, and Ty Bisek. She is also survived by her sisters-in-law, Marilyn Butenhoff and Carol Barringer, as well as many nieces and nephews.

She was preceded in death by her husband Ernie Carlson, her parents Lyle and Ann Barringer, sister Lois Degendorfer and brothers Richard Barringer and Jerry Barringer.