August 4, 2025 – Town of Trenton, WI – Lucy Mary Carter (nee Waldkirch) passed peacefully from this life and joined her savior in heaven on Wednesday, July 30, 2025, at the age of 97.
She was born on September 15, 1927, in West Bend to Leo and Lucy (nee Wegener) Waldkirch, the oldest of five children. Lucy grew up on her parents’ farm in the Town of Trenton, at a time when milking cows and harvesting crops was done by hand, kerosene lamps were used for light, and water was hand pumped from the well. She attended the same one-room schoolhouse as her mother. While a teenager, she worked as nanny and housekeeper for a family on Big Cedar Lake.
Lucy met her husband Norbert (Norbie) C. Carter at the Newburg Picnic in 1947, and they were married August 28, 1948. Together, they worked at Amity Leather and began building their home in 1952.
When Norbert was called to serve his country during the Korean War, Lucy went to work at Power Products. Soon after, she was making bullets at Badger Meter to support the war effort.
Once Norbert returned from Korea, they worked at Doerr Electric while finishing the construction of their home. Lucy was a dedicated wife and mother, who chose to stay at home to raise and care for their family when they were blessed with children (eight of them).
Years later, Lucy and Norbert formed and operated Carter’s Oil Company until their retirement. While raising children and through retirement, Lucy was a proud Amway distributor for many decades.
Lucy was a warm and loving woman who enjoyed spending time with family most of all. She was a marvelous cook and baker who shared that gift with family and friends whenever she could. Lucy took great pleasure in orchestrating family events, treasuring those times when everyone was together. She loved to travel, especially to see family.
She spent time gardening until 2001, when deer decimated her flowers and vegetables – those pesky deer. Lucy valued keeping in touch with old friends and was always up for a good card game. Mickey Mouse was her all-time favorite character.
Lucy was known for her service to others. This is evidenced by her involvement in many organizations that benefit the community, most recently including: Good Shepherd Ladies League, Fred A. Shaefer VFW Post 1393 Auxiliary (past president for many years), Fohl-Martin American Legion Post 483, and Military Order of the Cooties Auxiliary #23.
She was baptized at Holy Trinity Catholic Church and was a member of St. Augustine until the age of 55. Then, on December 31, 1982, she was confirmed at Good Shepherd Lutheran Church, joining in fellowship with her husband.
Lucy is survived by her husband of almost 77 years, Norbert, their children, Mary (Dale) Wagner, Rose Ann (Doug) Westphal, Lee (Kathleen) Carter, Roy (Susan) Carter, Linda (John) Hempsey, Allen (Pamela) Carter, Sue (Rodney) Stockbauer and Tony (Cynthia) Carter; grandchildren, Michael, Philip, Richard, Steven, Melissa, Jason, Daniel, Dennis, Christopher, Justin, Megan, Adam, Ashley, Abigail, Alissa, Rodney Jr., Monica and Ethan; and 14 great-grandchildren. She is further survived by her sisters, Frances Vande Boom, Violet Vande Boom and Theresa (Irvin) Schroeder; Norbert’s siblings, Wally Carter, Melvin Carter and Marion Virginia; brother-in-law Jim Karoses; nieces, nephews, and other relatives and friends.
She is preceded in death by her grandparents, Julius and Mary (nee Boehm, b. Germany) Waldkirch, Kurt (b. Germany) and Frances (nee Hashek, b. Austria) Wegener; her parents, Leo and Lucy Waldkirch; her brother, Leo Waldkirch Jr.; brother/sister-in-laws, George Vande Boom, Albin Vande Boom, Eldor Carter, Richard Carter, Marvin Carter, Orin Carter, Gladys Karoses, Bernice Patnode and Herman Carter in infancy.
The family would like to extend their heartfelt appreciation to the staff of Aurora Medical Center in Grafton and Kathy Hospice of West Bend for their outstanding care.
A celebration of Lucy’s incredible life will take place at a later date.
The Schmidt Funeral Home in West Bend is serving the family. If you would like to leave a message of comfort and condolence, please visit www.schmidtfuneralhome.com
