1951
Carla
2025
Carla Jean Palmer
November 19, 1951 — May 8, 2025
Carla Jean Palmer, age 73, of Elizabeth, IL, passed in her home, with her family by her side on May 8, 2025. A graveside funeral service will be held at 11 a.m., on Friday, May 16, at Elizabeth Cemetery.
Carla was born November 19, 1951, in Dubuque, IA, the daughter of Claude and Jaunita (Lee) Nardin. She attended Elizabeth schools, graduating from Elizabeth High School with the class of 1970. On June 9, 1972, Carla married Paul “P.D.” Palmer, at the United Methodist Church, in Elizabeth.
The young couple wasted no time starting their family and were blessed with a son and a daughter. Carla went to work for the Elizabeth Nursing home, where she would continue working for more than 40 years, but also instrumental in keeping their farm operating smoothly. She and P.D. shared in the farm duties, while both had other jobs.
Carla was never one for hobbies, instead her focus was on keeping a clean and tidy house; she was certainly a “neat freak” and supporting P.D. in his drag racing. Many weekends were spent at the races, where she would cook for everyone in their social circle, which oftentimes felt like half the town! The kids would run around, and Carla would make sure everything ran smoothly. She was a disciplined lady who took pride in providing and doing things the right way.
For her efforts, she even earned a nickname. One day she very sternly (and perhaps a bit ferociously) scolded P.D. and a few of his garage buddies for having a few too many beverages and acting accordingly; thus the nickname “Grizz” was born. Mama bear was going to make sure her cubs knew how to best survive!
Carla was a remarkable woman and will be dearly missed by her son, Todd (Chris) Palmer, of Elizabeth; daughter, Alisha (Nate) Furlong, of Elizabeth; grandchildren, Bailey Palmer, Macey Fulton, and Dayton Furlong; and brother, George (Mert) Narding. Carla is preceded in death by her parents, Claude and Jaunita; ex-husband and friend, P.D.; and sister, Carolyn Reitz.
The Palmer family would like to extend their sincere thanks to FHN Hospice for the wonderful end of life care offered to Carla.
Carla was born November 19, 1951, in Dubuque, IA, the daughter of Claude and Jaunita (Lee) Nardin. She attended Elizabeth schools, graduating from Elizabeth High School with the class of 1970. On June 9, 1972, Carla married Paul “P.D.” Palmer, at the United Methodist Church, in Elizabeth.
The young couple wasted no time starting their family and were blessed with a son and a daughter. Carla went to work for the Elizabeth Nursing home, where she would continue working for more than 40 years, but also instrumental in keeping their farm operating smoothly. She and P.D. shared in the farm duties, while both had other jobs.
Carla was never one for hobbies, instead her focus was on keeping a clean and tidy house; she was certainly a “neat freak” and supporting P.D. in his drag racing. Many weekends were spent at the races, where she would cook for everyone in their social circle, which oftentimes felt like half the town! The kids would run around, and Carla would make sure everything ran smoothly. She was a disciplined lady who took pride in providing and doing things the right way.
For her efforts, she even earned a nickname. One day she very sternly (and perhaps a bit ferociously) scolded P.D. and a few of his garage buddies for having a few too many beverages and acting accordingly; thus the nickname “Grizz” was born. Mama bear was going to make sure her cubs knew how to best survive!
Carla was a remarkable woman and will be dearly missed by her son, Todd (Chris) Palmer, of Elizabeth; daughter, Alisha (Nate) Furlong, of Elizabeth; grandchildren, Bailey Palmer, Macey Fulton, and Dayton Furlong; and brother, George (Mert) Narding. Carla is preceded in death by her parents, Claude and Jaunita; ex-husband and friend, P.D.; and sister, Carolyn Reitz.
The Palmer family would like to extend their sincere thanks to FHN Hospice for the wonderful end of life care offered to Carla.
To order memorial trees or send flowers to the family in memory of Carla Jean Palmer, please visit our flower store.
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