The funeral for Carla Jean Ward will be at 11:00am on Tuesday, February 3rd, 2015 at the River Park Chapel, Macken Funeral Home with the Rev. Don Noonan officiating.  Burial will be in Oakwood Cemetery in Rochester.  Visitation will be held from 5:00pm to 8:00pm on Monday, February 2nd and one hour prior to the service on Tuesday at the River Park Chapel, Macken Funeral Home.

Carla Jean (Parsons) Ward, age 69, of Rochester passed away on Friday January 30, 2015 at her home after a lengthy illness.  She was born to Lowell and Nadene (Geak) Parsons in Mankato on December 24, 1945.

She grew up in Vernon Center, Minnesota and graduated from Garden City High School.  She lived in the Rochester area most of her life.  She married John Ward on October 3rd, 1969 in Rochester.  They then started a family and lived in Chicago for ten years.

Carla loved animals and loved her dogs as family.  She was a 4-H member and raised state fair grand champion award winning lambs.  She was also a Wilton cake decorating instructor, Girl Scout Cookie Mom and a member of the Rochester Baptist Church.  Carla loved to cook, garden, sew, crochet and spend time with her friends and family.  She was driven to help those in need and make sure no one goes hungry.

Survivors include her daughters Amy Ward of Denver, Colorado, Kari Ward of Bloomington, Jenny Pachicano (David) of Rochester and Julie Ward of Rochester; six grandchildren and two great-grandchildren; sister Lily (Kirk) Bartz of Plainview.  She is also survived by her long time best friend Diane Cambern and her beloved dogs Muggs and Jack.  She is preceded in death by her parents, husband and two siblings.

Online condolences are welcome at www.mackenfuneralhome.com