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Support pours in for Carlson family following tragedy 

Community steps up to help family of Jana Carlson after her death

Jana Carlson

Jana Carlson’s Facebook profile picture.

The community of Paso Robles and residents from throughout San Luis Obispo County and beyond are offering overwhelming support for the family of Jana Carlson, 34, who died in a tragic vehicle accident on Dec. 19, 2013.

Local resident Jennifer Sorenson started a Facebook page “Help for the Carlson Family,” to offer help and support for the family. The page is filled with heartfelt tributes to the Carlson family and offers for help. Just before the Christmas holiday, hundreds of gifts and gift cards were dropped off at the Paso Robles Sports Club by locals to help the family in their time of need.

On gofundme.com, Justin Hansen set up the Jana Carlson Memorial Fund; an astounding $37,592 has been raised by 474 people in the past 20 days and donations continue to be accepted. At Chase Bank, another Jana Carlson Memorial Fund was set up for those wishing to help the family financially; contributions may still be made at local Chase locations. Through coordinated efforts, meals have been provided to the family on a continual basis. In addition, a benefit concert is scheduled for Jan. 25 at The Ranch in San Miguel.

According to a California Highway Patrol report and local sources, Kenneth “KC” Carlson, 38, was talking with his wife outside his Ford F350 pickup truck at Broken Earth Winery on Hwy 46 East, where she worked as an assistant tasting room manager. After the conversation ended, she walked in front of his vehicle and, when she bent over to retrieve something on the ground, her husband’s vehicle advanced forward, struck her and she suffered blunt force trauma. Lifesaving procedures were initiated but, according to CHP reports, Jana succumbed to her injuries at Twin Cities Hospital in Templeton.

Comments posted in response to news reports and on various social media sites describe Jana with terms such as “great mom and wife,” “always happy,” and “genuine, caring, kind.” And her smile – most comments on these sites reflect on Jana’s smile – “contagious, beautiful, bright smile” and “her smile lit up a room.”

Jana-Carlson-fund

Jana Lee Carlson was born to Jim Osborn and Vicki Valdivia and was a fifth generation Central Coast resident. She was married to KC for almost 16 years and they lived together in Paso Robles with their four children – ages 15, 11, 7 and 4. The couple also helped to create a non-profit foundation benefiting those struggling with drug addiction. In addition to working in the winey, Jana worked in the childcare area at Kennedy Club Fitness and the family attended church together at Highlands Church in Paso Robles.

A Celebration of Life was held for Jana at the Highlands on Saturday, Dec. 28. With an outpouring of support, friends, family, coworkers and caring community members turned out by the hundreds to celebrate Jana – a friend, mother, wife, sister and daughter. Pastor Sean Martin welcomed the overflowing crowd on the outside lawn of the church site following a prelude of music by John Oliver and pianist Zack Angles.

Following a prayer by Roy Jeter – “Jana loved when Roy prayed” – Jana’s husband, KC, sang an emotional rendition of the Jack Johnson song, “Angel,” before the eulogy was delivered by two of Jana’s closest friends. Highlands staff members and friends of the Carlson family, Katy Griffin and Jill Alexander, recalled special moments of Jana’s life and offered comfort to those that she loved. After the recitation of The Lord’s Prayer by Michael Hinton and a meditation and benediction from Pastor Martin, the sounds of Bob Marley’s “Stir it Up” filled the air as the ceremony came to a close.

The crowd remained to spend time together and enjoy a meal with one another, courtesy of an exceptionally large outpouring of food donations. According to reports, there was so much leftover food that volunteers were able to take some to local homeless shelters.

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About the author: News Staff

The news staff of the Paso Robles Daily News wrote or edited this story from local contributors and press releases. The news staff can be reached at info@pasoroblesdailynews.com.