Jean Jacqueline (Erickson) Carter

Monday, August 5, 2019 1:54 pm

Celebration of Life services will be held for Jean Jacqueline (Erickson) Carter at 3 p.m. Saturday, Aug. 31, at First United Methodist Church in Decorah, with Rev. Hyeunmee Kang officiating.

Jean Jacqueline (Erickson) Carter was born in West Union, the daughter of Silas and Charlotte (Noecker) Erickson. Jean was the first of five children. She graduated from West High School in Madison, Wis. and went on to graduate from the University of Wisconsin with a bachelor of science degree in home economics in 1949.

She married William “Bud” E. Carter Jr. Of Cleveland, Ohio, June 27, 1950. They lived in the Cleveland area for all their married life. During those years Jean was a wife and mother and active community volunteer. She was very active in the church, book groups, the AAUW, bridge and her beloved gardens. She and Bud enjoyed summers at their cottage on Lake Erie. Widowed in 2003, she moved to Decorah in 2005.

Jean was a lifelong learner. She earned her master’s in 1977 from Kent State.

She went on to earn her PhD in 1990 and became an adjunct faculty at Kent State in family life education. She received many awards for her work in the community and church including her work in creating a mental health center in Fairview Park, Ohio.

She never stopped being a pioneer and a volunteer, and challenging all to an examined life.

She stayed involved in the Decorah community and many enjoyed her lovely home and beautiful gardens.

She is survived by her daughter, Lynn (Chris) Clampitt, of East Lansing, Mich.; her daughter-in-law, Suzanne Carter of Nashville, Tenn.; four grandchildren: Kelsey Barnes, Thornton, Colo., Gregory Barnes, Aurora, Colo., Collin (Ana) Barnes, Las Vegas, Nev. and Elise Carter, Nashville, Tenn.; three sisters: Kristin Erickson, Decorah, Jerrine Osenga, Decorah and Karen Stack, Port Clinton, Ohio; and brother, John Tom Erickson, Middleton, Wis.

Jean was preceded in death by her husband, her parents Silas and Charlotte Erickson, her sons Andrew, Mitchel and William “Billy.”

In lieu of flowers, memorials may be given to P.E.O. Scholarship Fund, 111 Pleasant Hill Drive, P.O. Box 265,
Decorah, IA 52101.

Fjelstul Funeral Home in Decorah is serving the family. Online condolences may be made at fjelstul.com.