Obituary, Rosemary (Young) Carter, 74

Rosemary (Young) Carter died on Mother's Day, May 11, 2014. She taught us how to let go, when we wanted to hang on most tightly. She was surrounded by her family where we shared stories, music, games and laughter.

On January 14, 1940, Rosemary was born to John and Irma (Garrett) Young in LaGrange, Ind. She graduated from Sturgis High School in 1958 and worked at the Sturgis Public Library.

While on a Methodist Youth Group hayride she met her husband Richard (Dick) Carter of Constantine, Mich. They were married on May 28, 1960 and would go on to endure many joys and hardships together. After they were married, she was employed in the clerical field over the years, but her first and true calling was being a mother.

She loved singing and in her younger days performed in talent shows and at weddings. She participated in the United Methodist church choir for years in Sturgis and in Constantine. She was an amazing cook, famous for her Swedish Tea Rings and chocolate chip cookies.

In the mid 70s, she went to work full-time as the secretary at Riverside Elementary School. She loved working with the children and staff there for 34 years and retired in 2008 after her first stroke.

Throughout her life, she perfected the ability to cope with adversity. She accepted the loss of her own mother at 17 and survived cancer three times, as well as numerous strokes and other health challenges. She taught us to persevere, remain strong and find a way to laugh regardless of the tough times.

Over the last 25 years, visiting Robyn and her family in Alaska was always a highlight in her life. Eating fresh halibut beer bits, smoked salmon and fresh king crab were at the top of her Alaskan list of things to do, as well as shopping at the local stores.

She was preceded in death by her parents and her husband Richard.

Surviving are her son, Randal (Kathy) Carter of Caledonia, Mich., and their children Ryan and Katrina; daughter, Robyn (Karl) Hagerman of Petersburg, Alaska, and their children Kyle, Tucker and Tatum; sister, Linda (Rex) Stover of Clayton, Ind., and their children Shawn and Dora.