Cynthia Carlson

Cynthia was born on April 23, 1924, in Detroit to the late Ina and Dr. William Alexander, who came to the area in 1925 as one of the first surgeons at the new Ford plant.

She graduated from Iron Mountain High School in 1942, and the University of Wisconsin in 1946. While working in Chicago as a medical illustrator, she met Dr. Ralph E. Carlson of Kingsford, whom she married in 1947. After Ralph’s service in the army and surgical residency in Detroit, the young couple moved back to the area to raise their family, lured back to the lifestyle of the north woods.

During her long life, Cynthia was an active participant in the community. She was a founding member of the Iron Mountain Kingsford Art Association, and charter member of the Dickinson County Memorial Hospital League. As president of the Washington Elementary School PTA, she proudly helped influence voting to replace the antiquated facility with a new school (Eastside Elementary).

Other memberships include the Iron Mountain Kingsford Women’s Club, the Friday Study Club, the Dickinson County Pilot’s Association, the Chippewa Club, and 100+ Women.

One of Cynthia’s early passions was flying airplanes. In 1944, at the age of 20, she was the first student to receive her pilot’s license from the Fontana School of Aviation. She became a member of the famous “Ninety Nines,” a women’s pilot association founded by Amelia Earhart in 1939. Among the aircraft she flew were the Taylorcraft, Ercoupe, Ryan PT 22 army trainer and Beechcraft Musketeer. She was working on her instrument rating in a Beechcraft Bonanza when she gave up flying due to her growing concerns about leaving her daughters “motherless,” as she joked.

Cynthia was a voracious reader of fiction and nonfiction, enjoying any topic from history to the latest advances in medicine. She educated herself about new technologies and international trends, and she loved sending articles of special interest to her children and grandchildren up until her death. She loved spending time with her immediate and extended family at their home at Spread Eagle where they gathered every summer. Her intelligence and unfiltered sharp wit will be missed by all who knew her, including her many dear friends in Florida, and the staff and additional friends she made while at Evergreen Senior Living.

Survivors include her daughters, Deborah (Norm) Miede of Nashville, Tenn., Meredith Carlson of Libertyville, Ill., and Marsha Hodges of Denver Colo.; grandchildren include, Mara Herron, Nick Herron, Lisa Herron, Teddy Hodges, Nick Miede, Matt Miede, and Danny Miede.

In addition to her husband of 69 years, Cynthia was predeceased this year by her grandson, Gavin Hodges, 28, and brother, Gavin Alexander.

A celebration of life service will be scheduled at a later date when it can be held safely.

In lieu of flowers, the family would be honored if a donation was made in her name to the Caring House, 1305 S. Prospect, Iron Mountain, MI 49801 or the Dickinson Area Community Foundation, 333 S. Stephenson Ave. Suite 204, Iron Mountain, MI 49801.

Condolences to the family of Cynthia Alexander Carlson may be expressed online at www.ernashfuneralhomes.com

The family has entrusted the Erickson-Rochon & Nash Funeral Home with the arrangements.