Official Obituary of
Ethel G. Carter
May 2, 2013
Ethel Carter Obituary
Plainview in the late 1920s. There Ethel grew up loving animals, especially the farm’s
horses, and thoroughly enjoying the open air country life. She attended the French High
School in 1944. While in high school she met the love of her life, Harold Carter, also of
Plainview. They were married October 12, 1944, while Harold was home on leave from the
US Army Air Force. The couple rarely left each other’s side for the next seven decades.
Ethel and Harold lived in Plainview after Harold’s discharge from active duty in 1946. In
1949 they moved to a farm west of Plainview. On this farm, which everyone in the family
affectionately called “The Ranch,” Ethel and Harold raised 11 children.
Ethel’s children were always the light and the center of her life. She was a mother in the
most elegant tradition: always happy with her blessings, and comfortable and proud in her
role as nurturer, provider and teacher. Above all, Ethel was an ever gentle role model of
unconditional love and endless energy when it came to both her immediate and her
extended family. Amid all the work, chaos and fun of her busy life she never lost her love
of art, music, dancing and reading. With great pleasure she always sang her signature
yodel for anyone who asked.
Ethel and Harold moved to a home they built in Elgin, MN, in 2000, and then moved to
Rochester in 2008. Ethel belonged to the American Legion Auxiliary and was a longtime
member of St. Joachim’s Catholic Church in Plainview. She was active in the Catholic
Daughters, receiving her 50 year pin in 1999.
Ethel is survived by Harold, her loving husband of 69 years, children Harry (Marie) of New
Brighton, MN, George (Joanne) of Mendota Heights, MN, Joe (Jan) of Madison, WI, Mary
(Phil) Nestor of Elgin, MN, Pat J. (Vicki) of Verona, WI, Kathy (Warren) Olson of Cross
Plains, WI, Tim (Crystal) of Madison, WI, Susan (Robert) Askildson of Rochester, MN,
Sharon (Lee) Mollan of Richfield, MN, Sandy (Brian) Rauls of Sun Prairie, WI, Tracy
(Daren) Hofschulte of Elgin, MN, 21 grandchildren and 7 great-grandchildren. She is
further survived by her dear sister Kathleen Trunk of Santa Ana, CA, along with well-loved
in-laws, nieces, nephews and cousins.
She was preceded in death by two children at birth, Patrick D. and Patricia, her parents,
brothers Bill and George Koenig, and son-in-law Phil Nestor.
The family sincerely thanks the entire team at Seasons Hospice House for taking such
tender care of their mother.
Visitation beginning with the Rosary will be from 4:00 pm to 8:00 pm on Thursday, May 9,
2013 at Schad & Zabel Funeral Home, 57 So. 3rd St. SW, Plainview, MN 55964, (507) 534-
2003, www.schadandzabelfuneralhomes.com.
A funeral Mass will be celebrated at 11:00 am Friday, May 10, 2013 at St. Joachim’s
Catholic Church, 900 West Broadway, Plainview, MN 55964, with Fr. William Becker
officiating. There will be a visitation in the church narthex for one hour before the Mass. A
reception and lunch will be held at the church after the Mass.
In lieu of flowers, memorials are requested to Seasons Hospice, 1696 Greenview Dr. SW,
Rochester, MN 55902, www.seasonshospice.org.
horses, and thoroughly enjoying the open air country life. She attended the French High
School in 1944. While in high school she met the love of her life, Harold Carter, also of
Plainview. They were married October 12, 1944, while Harold was home on leave from the
US Army Air Force. The couple rarely left each other’s side for the next seven decades.
Ethel and Harold lived in Plainview after Harold’s discharge from active duty in 1946. In
1949 they moved to a farm west of Plainview. On this farm, which everyone in the family
affectionately called “The Ranch,” Ethel and Harold raised 11 children.
Ethel’s children were always the light and the center of her life. She was a mother in the
most elegant tradition: always happy with her blessings, and comfortable and proud in her
role as nurturer, provider and teacher. Above all, Ethel was an ever gentle role model of
unconditional love and endless energy when it came to both her immediate and her
extended family. Amid all the work, chaos and fun of her busy life she never lost her love
of art, music, dancing and reading. With great pleasure she always sang her signature
yodel for anyone who asked.
Ethel and Harold moved to a home they built in Elgin, MN, in 2000, and then moved to
Rochester in 2008. Ethel belonged to the American Legion Auxiliary and was a longtime
member of St. Joachim’s Catholic Church in Plainview. She was active in the Catholic
Daughters, receiving her 50 year pin in 1999.
Ethel is survived by Harold, her loving husband of 69 years, children Harry (Marie) of New
Brighton, MN, George (Joanne) of Mendota Heights, MN, Joe (Jan) of Madison, WI, Mary
(Phil) Nestor of Elgin, MN, Pat J. (Vicki) of Verona, WI, Kathy (Warren) Olson of Cross
Plains, WI, Tim (Crystal) of Madison, WI, Susan (Robert) Askildson of Rochester, MN,
Sharon (Lee) Mollan of Richfield, MN, Sandy (Brian) Rauls of Sun Prairie, WI, Tracy
(Daren) Hofschulte of Elgin, MN, 21 grandchildren and 7 great-grandchildren. She is
further survived by her dear sister Kathleen Trunk of Santa Ana, CA, along with well-loved
in-laws, nieces, nephews and cousins.
She was preceded in death by two children at birth, Patrick D. and Patricia, her parents,
brothers Bill and George Koenig, and son-in-law Phil Nestor.
The family sincerely thanks the entire team at Seasons Hospice House for taking such
tender care of their mother.
Visitation beginning with the Rosary will be from 4:00 pm to 8:00 pm on Thursday, May 9,
2013 at Schad & Zabel Funeral Home, 57 So. 3rd St. SW, Plainview, MN 55964, (507) 534-
2003, www.schadandzabelfuneralhomes.com.
A funeral Mass will be celebrated at 11:00 am Friday, May 10, 2013 at St. Joachim’s
Catholic Church, 900 West Broadway, Plainview, MN 55964, with Fr. William Becker
officiating. There will be a visitation in the church narthex for one hour before the Mass. A
reception and lunch will be held at the church after the Mass.
In lieu of flowers, memorials are requested to Seasons Hospice, 1696 Greenview Dr. SW,
Rochester, MN 55902, www.seasonshospice.org.
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