Martha G Carlson

Martha Jane (Genn) Carlson 

Much loved mom of four boys, Grandma of ten, and Great Grandma of 16 kids of Twin Falls passed away in Jerome, Idaho with two of her Grandchildren by her side on Thursday, February 13th leaving those of us who loved her heartbroken, but also relieved to know her suffering had finally ended.

Martha was born in Sulphur Springs, Texas to Olan Robert Genn and Fern Norrine Findley. Her Mama called her Janie and she adored her father and he loved her. He always made sure she had drawing and art material to express her talents from a very young age. Martha started school in Lockette, TX. Halfway through 3rd grade, the family moved to California where Martha tested directly into 4th grade. She attended a different school in a different town every year after that because Olan was an Agronomist. Halfway through her senior year, the family made a big move to Twin Falls, Idaho, where Olan would cultivate his patented Ambassador Walnut Tree and many other cultivations. Martha graduated from Twin Falls High School in 1961. She furthered her education at the LA College of Fine Arts for a year and a half, she transferred to Idaho State University in Pocatello for two years, acquiring her Bachelor's of Fine Arts with an emphasis in Oil Painting and a Minor in Botany.

Martha married Stanley Carlson on February 27, 1965. They had four boys in a hurry, all born less than 15 months apart. Martha began working at nurseries in the 1970s through the 1990s. She got her start at Western Nurseries, where she was able to sell her oil paintings, design silk flower arrangements, and grow her love of plants. She continued to do this at Kelly Garden Center. She also worked a short time at Fox Floral and Take A Bough. Around 1997, she became an independent self-employed landscape Designer/Consultant. Martha designed the rose garden at the old Magic Valley Regional Hospital and was a consultant who helped design the Orton Botanical Garden. She also designed countless yards and businesses around Southern Idaho and beyond. She was a woman of many talents and was a blunt, to the point, six-foot-tall woman, and would tell you how it was and people loved her for it. She continued working with a select few clients, including Gregg and Sallee Middlekauff, until 2023.

Martha raised four smart, handsome, and respectful men; Jason Robert, Mark Stanley, Brian Steven, and Eric Genn. They tried her patience daily growing up. They were always blowing something up, fighting each other, or digging tunnels into the neighbor's yard. One of their holes even broke her foot! All her boys married and had children. She used to take her grandchildren to her landscape jobs, giving them fond memories and she always gave the neatest gifts. At one time or another, one of her boys or one or a handful of her grandchildren ended up living with her during tough times. She took care of all of them, so much so that it left her with nothing in the end and she was okay with that because she knew that everyone was going to be all right. She passed down her love of plants, bird watching, and art to her children and grandchildren in some form or another. She will live on within the family and in the landscapes she created that continue to grow and mature over time.

Martha is preceded in death by her husband Stan and her first-born son, Jason (Karla). She is survived by Jason’s kids, Tyler and Ryan, and great-grandchildren Dax, Liam, and Lincoln; Mark (Jackie), their kids Rachel, Ashley, and Austin; Brian, his kids Jesica and Aaron, great-grandchildren Anu, Inanna, Skyy, Easton, Edythe, and Elloise; Eric (Jody), their kids Hailey, Alexis and Kinley, and great grandkids Shaunte, Emell Jr, Roenia, Jay’Ceon, Giovanni, Frehley, and Morrison. As well as her caregivers, friends and loved ones that will miss her dearly.

At this time, there are no plans for a public service. This summer the family plans to have a small family gathering to scatter her and Stan’s ashes in one of her favorite places above King Hill. In lieu of flowers or donations, please plant a tree or something to honor Martha. Think of her when you see something beautiful growing or birds bathing and singing. The family will cherish her memory as she is part of our souls.