The family of Erra Cornwell Carlson are saddened by the recent passing of our mother. Erra died peacefully on November 19, 2024 in Colorado Springs, Colorado.
Erra was born on May 5, 1923 in St. Cloud, Minnesota and grew up in Cold Spring. Her mother was Isabel Alexander Cornwell (sister of John, Cold Spring Granite Company CEO) and her father was Irvin Edward Cornwell who also worked at the company. Along with brothers Ted and Irv, they spent many summers at the cottage on nearby Big Fish Lake, and the cottage is still in the family. Erra and the family eventually moved to Edina, Minnesota and she attended West High School in Minneapolis. After one year at Carlton College, she attended the University of Minnesota and majored in Journalism, and was in the Pi Phi sorority. She then joined the Navy WAVES after World War II and learned to fly while stationed in Pensacola, getting a private pilot’s license. Back in Minnesota, she got a job as editor of AAA Travel Magazine. In 1949, she married Curtis Carlson from Tracy, Minnesota whom she had met in Minneapolis. Curt worked in finance for Pillsbury and soon was transferred to Omaha, Nebraska where all three of their children were born. More transfers ensued to Davenport, Iowa and St. Louis, Missouri and Chatham, Illinois. Curt also worked for Sangamon State University and Erra was employed in the Guidance Office at Chatham Glenwood High School. After retirement, Erra and Curt moved to Lady Lake, Florida, an area with woods and lakes that reminded them of Minnesota. They both continued regular summer trips to the cottage on Big Fish Lake and she was especially fond of the loon families.
Not long after Curt’s passing in 2003, Erra moved to a retirement community in Colorado Springs, Colorado to be near her daughter Jean and her family, and her son Doug who oversees a ranch near Clark, Colorado with his family.
Erra was a voracious reader, especially mysteries, loved playing bridge and crosswords, and from a young age thoroughly enjoyed outdoor activities such as camping, canoeing, swimming, golf, and traveling to all 50 states. She remembers getting one dollar for successfully swimming across Big Fish Lake at age five, and was proud to go on Boundary Waters adventures with her brother and cousins, not that common for girls and women at the time. She was very well liked by many and kept up with many dozens of old friends through Christmas cards and visits.
Erra was preceded in passing by her husband Curt (2003), mother Isabel (1993), father Irvin (1955), and brothers Ted Cornwell (2004) and Irv Cornwell who just passed away in August of this year. She is survived by son Dave in Minneapolis and who keeps up the old cottage, son Doug (Adele) in Clark, Colorado, and daughter Jean (Tom) in Colorado Springs. She also has three granddaughters (Keri, Allison and Melissa) and two grandsons (Kellen and Daniel) and six great-grandchildren (Evalyn, Quincy, Jace, Yvette, Addison and newborn Camden).
Erra and her brother Irv will join their brother Ted and their parents and other relatives when they both will be buried at the Alexander plot at North Star Cemetery in St. Cloud, Minnesota. There will be a semi-private memorial service sometime in the summer. All of us will miss her very much but are consoled by being part of her long and interesting and fulfilling life of 101-1/2 years!
