Evelyn Waits Carpenter

Jessie Evelyn Waits Carpenter, 100, of Loveland, formerly of Canon City, Colorado, passed away October 15, 2015, 15 days shy of her 101st birthday. Evelyn was born to Robert Reason and Jessie Waits October 30, 1914, in Atchison County (Fairfax) Missouri. She was raised on a farm and rode a horse to school for 11 of the 12 years. Evelyn graduated from Irish Gove Consolidated High School (Fairfax) in 1932. After finishing high school, she took secretarial training in Lincoln, Nebraska and worked for the State Department of Vocational Education at the State Capitol before moving to Denver, Colorado. She was working for Caterpillar Tractor Company when she met Merrill Carpenter, who was from Iowa and in the Air Force stationed at Lowry Air Force Base. Evelyn married Merrill Raymond Carpenter January 30, 1947, in Denver, Colorado. They had three children, Merrillyn Mae, Roger Wayne, and Rhonda Sue. Merrill served in the Air Force and they lived in various areas, including Colorado, Missouri, Germany, France, and California. After Merrill’s retirement from the Air Force, they settled in Aurora. Following her retirement from the University of Colorado School of Nursing and Merrill’s retirement from the U.S. Mint, they moved to Canon City, Colorado, where they had their fondest memories. They were active in the United Presbyterian Church, bowled on two Senior Bowling Leagues, volunteered with Meals on Wheels, and at the Chamber of Commerce Tourist Cabins during summer months. They also enjoyed gardening and their animals. Sometime after Merrill’s death, Evelyn moved to Loveland, Colorado to be closer to her daughter. She spent the last six years of her life at Good Samaritan Society, Loveland Village, where she enjoyed the staff, her neighbors, the music, and the various activities.

Evelyn is survived by her daughters, Merrillyn Carpenter of Escondido, CA, and Rhonda (Kolt Johnson) Carpenter of Berthoud, CO, and two grandchildren: Brady Wyatt Carpenter Kennewick, WA and Alan Lima Carpenter of Rio De Janeiro, Brazil, as well as numerous nieces and nephews. Evelyn is preceded in death by her parents, two brothers (Lewis Waits and Melford Waits), her husband Merrill and her son Roger.

Graveside Services for Evelyn will be held Thursday, October 22, at 10:30 a.m. at the Fort Logan National Cemetery in Denver, Colorado. Go to www.allnutt.com to send condolences and sign the guestbook.