August 2, 2025 – Town of Trenton, WI – It was September 14, 2022, when I received a phone call from Lucy Carter. Actually, the call rang in as Norbert Carter, her husband.
“Nooooorby…..” I said exuberantly when I picked up. Then a meek voice said, “It’s actually Lucy.”
So, I said “Luuuuuucyyyyy… how are you.”
She said she was fine and quickly cut to the chase. “It’s my birthday tomorrow.”
I knew where the call was going. Lucy was turning 95. I said I would write an article so people could wish her a happy birthday.
There was a brief silence on her end… and then she comfortably said. “I was born in 1927 to Leo and Lucy Waldkirch in what was known at that time as a maternity home on Washington Avenue and Indiana Avenue in West Bend, WI.”
I grabbed a pen and started taking notes.
“I lived on Highway M all my life, built a house, and I’m still in it 68 years later,” said Lucy.
Norbert Carter and Lucy Waldkirch met at the Newburg Picnic. Lucy was married to Norbert on August 28, 1948. Norbert Carter was 20 years old, and they were married for only a couple of years when he was drafted in 1951 into the Army. He entered service in 1952. Carter was discharged in 1953 as a staff sergeant, Section B, 2nd Division Combat Engineers. He is well-known in the local military circles.
The couple celebrated their 76th wedding anniversary in 2024. Together they had eight children, four boys and four girls, and “some” grandchildren and great-grandchildren.
The conversation with Lucy lasted about 15 minutes. She said she didn’t want anything for her birthday… except good wishes.
As the afternoon progressed the amount of breaking news stories started to pile up. I believe there was a fatal accident, and a fire, and something else.
Pretty soon it was past 10 p.m. and I was still gathering details and posting articles, and my head was starting to hurt from fatigue.
Then the phone rang, and it was Norbert Carter. I figured he had reviewed the calls on his phone, saw his wife called me and was just following up. I didn’t have a lot of time… but picked up the phone.
“Nooooorby…..” I said happy to take a little break. Then a quiet voice said, “It’s actually Lucy again.”
“Lucy….. I have your birthday story ready to go for tomorrow.” I thought that would be it… and I would be able to refocus and put the big stories and myself to bed.
“I thought of a couple more things about my life, for the article.”
Now it was my turn to pause, but only for a couple seconds. I was elated Lucy felt comfortable calling, and this was history that needed to be documented, no matter how tired I was.
With that…. I tucked away the big stories and took a breath… to focus on something bigger.
Lucy was so sweet. She was sharp and her memories vivid, including the hard work she did while growing up.
“On a farm we worked picking stones for my uncle and my grandfather. And then we bought land from my parents and built a house, and I had kids and that was a job.
“Both of my parents lived to 93. My mother spent 6-1/2 years in a nursing home,” she said.
Lucy lived at home with her husband Norbert. They were members of Good Shepherd Lutheran Church in West Bend, WI.
Lucy passed on Wednesday night this week. She would have been 98 on September 15, 2025.
Lucy taught me to enjoy the simple things… and to slow down once in a while.
Funeral details for Lucy Carter will be posted when details become available.
As a small tribute, please feel free to offer a prayer or note of condolence in honor of Lucy Carter.
God truly blessed us with a wonderful woman in Lucy Carter. May Lucy’s family feel God’s Love and Grace during this sorrowful time. May Lucy Rest In Peace. May Norby feel the love and support of his many friends and family during this difficult time.