Obituaries for the day of October 22, 2009

Rita Ann H.S. Carter

Formerly of Elgin

1929-2009

Rita Ann Heald Seiler Carter, 80, formerly of Kooskia, Idaho, and Elgin, died Oct. 20 at her nephew’s home in Boise, Idaho. Services will be held at St. Catherine’s Catholic Church in Kamiah, Idaho, on Nov. 7. Time of service is pending. Cremation Society of Idaho is in charge of arrangements.

Rita was born May 12, 1929, to Charles Heald and Grace Belle Dagneau Heald in Sturgeon Bay, Wis. After her parents’ death, she was adopted at age 5 by her sister, Arvilla. Henry and Arvilla Seiler raised Rita in Baily’s Harbor, Wis., where she attended school and graduated from Gibraltar High School.

After graduation, she moved to West Yellowstone, Mont., to work for her uncle and aunt, Minor and Louise Dagneau, at their motel. It was about this time that she met Neil Stanley Carter at a local dance. They soon fell in love and were married at Our Lady of the Pines Catholic Church in West Yellowstone. Rita and Neil were the first couple to be married at that church.

Their son, Thomas Minor Carter, entered their life in 1961.

They worked in logging operations in Montana and later were self-employed in several logging businesses in Montana and Oregon. They also owned several small businesses in Clyde Park, Mont., and Kooskia.

Family was always a big part of Rita and Neil’s life. Many fun family times were spent at their home where brothers, sisters, nieces, nephews and cousins and their son and grandchildren met to enjoy each other’s company. Those who knew her say Rita was a good cook and everyone looked forward to Rita’s great food.

Rita was always active in her church and loved working with the young people. Those who knew her say she always had a lot of friends that she cherished over the years.

She is survived by her son, Thomas Minor Carter of Grangeville, Idaho; three grandchildren; several great-grandchildren; and brothers, Mark and Paul Seiler of Wisconsin. Rita was preceded in death by her husband of 56 years.