Elaine Carol Carpenter

Elaine Carol Carpenter, age 82, passed away peacefully on October 25, 2024. Elaine was born December 27, 1941, in Jackson County, Missouri, to John Amos Tucker and Ernestine Ruth Tucker. Elaine’s parents moved with Elaine and her older brother Larry to Denver, Colorado when Elaine was 2 years old. The family resided in Denver from that time forward, eventually growing to a family of seven children.

Elaine graduated from Saint Joseph Catholic High School in Denver in June of 1960 and married Mel Carpenter, the love of her life, on June 11, 1960, right after graduation. After working a short time as a telephone switchboard operator, Elaine dedicated the rest of her life to raising and nurturing her own family. Elaine and Mel raised four children of their own in Denver and were married for 63 years until Mel’s passing in 2023. Elaine was a life-long homemaker and provided daily care and love to her husband and children in many, many ways. She cooked, cleaned, served, guided, encouraged and loved her way to being a deeply appreciated mother and wife. She also enjoyed tap dancing, aerobic dancing, water aerobics, camping, fishing and attending family events with her large extended family.

Elaine was preceded in death by her husband, her mother and father, sister Lorene Tucker Gerow, brother Charles Tucker, sister-in-law Karen Jo Tucker and grandson Garett John Carpenter. Elaine maintained a deep faith in God her entire life and trusted that she is now rejoined with those who have passed before her.

She is survived by her four children: Michael Carpenter and wife Sara Oclassen of Lafayette, Colorado; Laura Carpenter of Lakewood, Colorado; Mark Carpenter and wife Holly Carpenter of Lakewood, Colorado; and Carl Carpenter and partner Kim Garcia of Centennial, Colorado. Elaine is also survived by four of her brothers: Larry (Jan) Tucker of Benkelman, Nebraska; John (Karen Jo) Tucker of Greeley, Colorado; Greg (Jill) Tucker of Wichita, Kansas; and Steven (Cheryl) Tucker of Broomfield, Colorado.

She is also survived by four grandchildren, Meghan (Mikkel) Buhl-Madsen, Andreanna (Gabriel) Thom, Leanna (Nick) Pushor, and Jocelyn (Amber) Gallegos; step grandchildren Andy Oclassen, Abby Oclassen, and Blake Garcia; great grandchildren Mia, Eva, Christian, Edwin, and Fulton; and numerous cousins, nephews, nieces and in-laws.