Carla A. Bengtson

Carla A. Bengtson

June 21, 1934- May 31, 2024

Carla A. Bengtson passed away on May 31, 2024 at Sullivan Park Assisted Living in Spokane Valley, Wash. She was born June 21, 1934 to Amanda J. Labes and spent the next 84 years of her life in Lind, Wash. Her roots in the community ran deep, as her great- grandfather, Karl Labes, had a homestead north of Lind in the late 1880s. He later owned several businesses in town, including a general merchandise store located in the building that later housed Lind Grange Supply.

Carla attended Lind schools, graduating from Lind High School in 1952. While still in high school, she worked as a cub reporter for the Lind Leader, under the guidance of Maynard and Barb Jensen. In 1964, she became the editor of the Lind Lens, which was owned by Dave and Bea Adams. During the 1960s and 1970s Carla also worked as a part-time clerk at the Post Office. She was appointed Postmaster in 1981 when her cousin, Ted Biermann, retired. She held that position until her own retirement in 1990.

A lifelong member of Good Hope Lutheran Church, she began playing the organ for church services at the age of 15. She also taught Sunday school while in high school. As an adult she sang in the choir, served on the church council, and helped out whenever and wherever needed. She was active in Cub Scouts, Boy Scouts and was briefly a 4-H leader (until she broke her ankle).

Carla was a member of the American Legion Auxiliary, holding offices at the Local, District, and State levels. She also served as a House Mother at Girl's State in 1978. She was a founding member of the Lind Alumni Association in 1966, serving on the Board of Directors from 1966 to 1969. She was a member of the Lind Chamber of Commerce from 1964 to 1971. Carla was instrumental in establishing the Lind Senior Center, which is located in the former home of Lind Electric, owned by her uncles Al and Ed Labes.

She knew her way around a sewing machine from an early age and later made a lot of her kids' clothes, including her daughter's wedding dress. We all enjoyed her cooking and baking, even when "experiments" didn't always turn out as anticipated. After her retirement, she became an avid knitter and crocheter. Willing to attempt any craft, she tried tole painting, ceramics, counted cross-stitch, and even became pretty adept with a glue gun.

Carla married Einar C. Bengtson on November 16, 1952 at Good Hope Lutheran Church. They had two children, Einar and Sandra. She was preceded in death by her son in 2017 and her husband in 2019. She is survived by her daughter, Sandy (Michael) Lohman; daughter-in-law Ann Bengtson; grandsons Carl (Jamie) Bengtson and C.J. Bengtson and great-grandchildren, Elena and George Bengtson.