Lolita Maria Carns, 56, a longtime Williston area resident, died on Friday, Oct. 30, 2009, at her home following a courageous battle with cancer.

Her Mass of Christian burial is at 11 a.m. on Wednesday, Nov. 4, 2009, at the St. Joseph’s Catholic Church, Williston. The Rev. Dennis Schafer is officiating. Interment is in the Hillside Memory Gardens, Williston.  An evening vigil with a Rosary is at 7 p.m. on Tuesday at the Everson Memorial Chapel.

Lolita was born on Sept. 14, 1953, to Jamie Sr. and Viola (Pippenger) TeSoro in Williston. She went through the Williston Public School system. She attended Lewis and Clark elementary school and then graduated from Williston Senior High School.

On Feb. 5, 1981, she was united in marriage to Dennis Carns in Williston.

Lolita was a member of the St. Joseph's Catholic Church. She was often called upon to bake food for various church functions. Lolita was also a loyal employee. She started her services at Bethel Lutheran Home in Williston in her early 20s and continued to work there for 30-plus years. Lolita was a very easygoing and down-to-earth person. 

She enjoyed collecting angel figurines and also Disney movies, her favorite of which was "Cinderella."  Above all things though, she enjoyed spending time with family and friends. By all of them, she was affectionately called, "Sissy."

Lolita is survived by her mother, Viola TeSoro, Williston; her husband, Dennis, Williston; her daughters, Sara Jayne and Natasha Marie, Williston and Vanessa Leigh, Minot; her brothers and their wives and families, Jamie Jr. and Candy TeSoro, Williston, Ray and Sherri TeSoro, Lolo, Mont., and Miles and LaDonna Allard, Fort Yates.  She is also survived by numerous aunts, uncles, nephews, nieces and cousins.

In addition to her father, Jamie Sr., she was preceded in death by her daughter, Heather Phoebe and her aunt, Virginia "Ginny" Faldalon.

Friends may visit www.eversonfh.com to share remembrances of Lolita.

Friends may call from 2-4 p.m. on Monday at the Bethel Lutheran Home, from 9 a.m. to 7 p.m. on Tuesday and at the church on Wednesday for the hour preceding the funeral Mass.

The Everson Funeral Home, Williston is caring for the family.