Kirstin Carlson

Carlson, Kirstin Tamara

Madison: On Sunday, Oct. 28, 2018, Kirstin Tamara Carlson died in her sleep due to natural causes at the age of 50. Kirstin was born on July 29, 1968, in Carbondale, Illinois to Jon and Laura (Twitchell) Carlson. As a child, she lived in Illinois, Michigan, Florida and Hawaii until her family settled down in Lake Geneva. Kirstin was a 1986 graduate of Badger High School where she was active in chorus, student government, and journalism. She graduated with her bachelor's degree from the University of Wisconsin, Madison, her Master of Education from the Pennsylvania State University, and in 1997 she received her nursing degree from University of Wisconsin-Madison. She practiced as a school nurse and a pediatric asthma research nurse before starting her dream job in February 2018 as a nurse for Planned Parenthood of Wisconsin where she found great joy in helping women in need.

In 1992 she married Christopher Dakes, whom she later divorced in 2013. Kirstin is survived by her three children, Alex, Andie, and Max- all of whom were raised in Madison. Kirstin's three children were her life; she loved them fiercely and unconditionally. The legacy of Kirstin's generosity, sense of humor, and kindness will live on through them. She was also a lifelong lover of literature, with the Harry Potter series being her favorites and most influential books in her life. Her love of this series was a healthy passion that brought her close to many other wonderful people who loved a bit of magic and whimsy in life.

Kirstin was preceded in death by her father, Jon. She is survived by her mother, Laura, her siblings, Matt, Karin, Ben, and Kali, her children, Alex, Andie, and Max, and her beloved dogs, Teddy and Tonks.

A memorial service will be held on Sunday, Dec. 2 at the First Unitarian Society church in Madison, at 2 p.m. In lieu of flowers, we have website for donations in her name: https://www.justgiving.com/remember/615777/Kirstin-Carlson

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