CARTER, Dorothy Joanetta (nee Weston) 1909-2004

CARTER, KIRSH, WESTON

Posted By: County Coordinator
Date: 2/19/2009 at 11:56:26

ROCKFORD, IOWA — Dorothy J. Carter, 95, a resident of the Nora Springs Care Center since February of 2003 and formerly of Rockford, Dougherty and Greene, died Thursday evening (Sept. 23, 2004) at the Nora Springs Care Center surrounded by her daughter and other family members.

Funeral services will be held at 11 a.m. Monday at St. Patrick’s Catholic Church, 420 E. Patrick St. in Dougherty, with the Rev. Linus Rasing officiating. Interment will be in St. Patrick’s Cemetery in Dougherty.

The family will greet friends and relatives from 9 to 11 a.m. Monday at the church. The rosary will be recited at 10:30 a.m. that morning.

Those wishing to extend memorials or expressions of sympathy may direct them to the Dorothy J. Carter Memorial Fund in care of Dolores M. Marzen, 1251 290th St., Marble Rock, IA 50563.

Dorothy Joanetta Carter was born Sept. 14, 1909, in Greene. She was the youngest of six children born to Numa and Magalena (Kirsh) Weston. Dorothy was known for delighting those around her with humorous readings and was educated and graduated from Sacred Heart Academy in Greene.

Following high school, Dorothy moved to Longmont, Colo., where she was employed as a waitress and met her future husband, Clifford “Bud” Spiller. The couple became the proud parents of their only child, a daughter, Dolores. Dorothy and Dolores moved to Winterhaven, Calif., following Bud’s death in April of 1951.

Dorothy met August “Stan” Carter in Winterhaven, where Stan was serving his country in the Army. They were married on June 16, 1952, in Yuma, Ariz., and treasured the next 51 years together. Together, they enjoyed dancing to all types of music, especially the “Blue Skirt Waltz.” Dorothy and Stan occasionally spent time playing games of chance at various casinos. In regards to the thrill of the casinos, Dorothy often mentioned, “My feet might hurt but my arms don’t!”

Dorothy and Stan moved to Iowa to be near their daughter, Dolores, and became the owners and operators of Carter’s Café in Dougherty. Dorothy’s most recent employment was working as a waitress at the old Park Inn Hotel in Clear Lake, where she was employed for approximately 10 years. Dorothy retired in Rockford.

Dorothy’s Catholic faith was always of high priority to her. She was a member of Holy Name Catholic Church in Rockford. She also held memberships with the V.F.W. Auxiliary in Clear Lake, the American Legion Auxiliary in Dougherty, the Legion of Mary and the Senior Citizen’s Center in Rockford.

Nobody seemed to be a stranger to Dorothy as she was a true “people person.” She loved life and lived her own life to the fullest. Her favorite motto was, “Enjoy yourself, it’s later than you think!”

Dorothy was a strong willed woman who was accepting of circumstances, both good and bad. She was always available to anyone for any reason at any time. Some of her favorite leisure activities and interests included playing 500, traveling, reading, cooking and shopping.

Dolores claims that her mother and her shared many wonderful secrets, talks and experiences together, and Dorothy’s homemade noodles rank among the best ever. Even in her later years, Dorothy continued to dance; however, she now danced at the care center from her chair, expressing her excitement with her hands instead of her feet.

Dorothy will be sadly miss-ed by her family and friends who have shared in her life.

She is survived by her daughter, Dolores (Gerald) Marzen of Marble Rock; her sister, Pearl Stevens of Yuma, Ariz.; and her two sisters-in-law, Ruth (Frank) Siler of Florida and Ora Clawson of Ohio. Dorothy was very proud of and adored her six grandchildren. She will be greatly missed by Dennis (Sally) Marzen, Vicki LaBianca, Michael (June) Marzen, Anthony (Char) Marzen, Michelle Deverell and Scott (Stacy) Marzen; her 15 great-grandchildren; numerous nieces and nephews, and other relatives and friends.

Preceding Dorothy in death are her two husbands, Clifford “Bud” Spiller in 1951 and August “Stan” Carter in June 2004; her parents, three brothers and one sister.

Fullerton Funeral Home and Cremation Service, (641) 756-3311, www.fullertonfh.com.

[Mason City Globe Gazette]