Obituary of Erva Carpenter

Erva Jean Carpenter was born July 8th, 1962 at Fort Carson Army Hospital, Fort Carson, Colorado to Francis L. Carter and Elna Gay Martin Carter while Francis was on active duty with the Colorado National Guard during the Berlin Crisis. For the rest of her life Erva would be referred to by her mother as her Army brat. She was not a month old when the family returned to Burlington, Colorado, where she would be raised and live her whole life. She graduated with the class of 1980. Going through school she participated in many activities including being elected Treasurer for her senior class, acting in many plays, taking part in National Honor Society and being nominated for Who’s Who. There is no doubt that Erva took the most pleasure from her high school years by her participation in band. She always took great pride in playing any one of the six instruments she knew how to play and that she was assistant drum majorette her senior year. She passed on her love of music to her siblings, sharing with them the enjoyment of playing in the Centennial Band in the summer of 1988 – a rare treat for the whole family. Her children also shared her love of music; singing and playing in band which was a source of great pride for Erva. In her work life, she enjoyed her time spent at Brenner Motors and while working with her father at the Western Motor Inn Restaurant. Almost two decades later, she would return to the restaurant business by running the Eastern Plains Café with her family. She put her bookkeeping skills to work at her jobs for Red Front Market and Kit Carson County Commissioners office. Her two marriages produced her greatest loves- her daughters. Her marriage to Ricky Taylor on February 2nd, 1980 gave her Jamie, and her marriage to David Carpenter on November 27th, 1993 blessed her with Chelsee. Recently, Erva enjoyed her virtual zoo of rabbits, horses, cats, dogs, and various small creatures. She kept herself busy with the many 4-H activities she took part in with Chelsee and her niece Alyssa. She was revisiting her love of crocheting and knitting. Anyone who knew Erva knew she gave greatly of herself her whole life. In her death her wish was to help as many people as possible. As an organ donor she has given the gifts of life and hope to many individuals despite her untimely passing. She is survived by her daughters; Chelsee Carpenter and Jamie Taylor (Derek Peters), her parents; Francis and Elna Carter, siblings; Darrell D. Cater (Twila), Delmar R. Carter (Terisa), Darren L. Carter (Debbie Jo), Darla L. McClellan (Aaron), uncles; Wilford E. Martin of McDonald, Kansas, Iven C. Carter (Lois) of Fontana, California, Robert E. Carter (Dolly) of Lake Havasu, Arizona, aunts; Lois L. Thomas ( Kenneth) of Burlington, Colorado, Georgia N. Carter of Littleton, Colorado, Pearl Carter of Kirk, Colorado, Rosetta Carter of Wichita, Kansas and numerous loved nieces and nephews. She is preceded in death by her grandparents; Clifford E. and Jessie M. Martin, Roy A. and Violet G. Carter; uncles; Harley V. Martin, Elton R. Martin, Marion M. Carter, Floyd E. Carter, Leon L. “Bucky” Carter (Dorothy D.), Richard D. “Red” Carter, Raymond D. Carter and also Emma E. Valet, Audrey A. Merriman, and Carol Martin.