Nelda J. Carpenter

Nelda J. Carpenter, 91, of Fort Collins, CO, formerly of Casper, WY, passed away January 20, 2025, in the memory care unit of Edgewood’s Meadow Wind Assisted Living facility. A granddaughter was by her side when she passed.

She was born on November 29, 1933, in Kansas City, KS to parents Virginia R. (Green) and Earl C. Henry and was the oldest of six children. She was raised in Oklahoma, graduated high school in Blackwell, OK , earned a Bachelor of Science degree from Eastern Montana College, (now University of Montana Billings, MT), taught school in Casper, Yuma, AZ, Las Vegas, NV, and was an Academics Program Advisor for Southern Illinois University at Marine Corp Air Station in Yuma , AZ and Embry Riddle University at F.E. Warren AFB in Cheyenne, WY. She was a member of Phi Delta Kappa, International Toastmistress Club, Soroptimist International, Zonta International, Yuma Youth Leadership, The Navy League of the U.S., The First United Methodist Church of Fort Collins, and United Methodist Women.

She is survived by two brothers John (Betsy) Henry, and Euel (Denise) Henry, a sister Jenny Sue (Jim) Johns; her husband of 46 years, Robert Carpenter; three sons, Lester (Robyn) Crawford, Dennis (Virginia) Crawford, and Gordon Crawford; two step-daughters, Elizabeth (Shannon) Thompson, Andrea (Carl J. Roth) Spahn; thirteen grandchildren; nine great-grandchildren and many nieces and nephews. She was preceded in death by her parents, a brother, Charles Henry, a sister, Carol Rodgers, and a daughter-in-law, Donna Crawford.

She loved her family and was very proud of their accomplishments. She delighted in hearing from them and to hear what they were doing. She loved her students -- children and adults. When she wasn’t teaching curriculum she was helping them with their self-esteem. She was kind, considerate, compassionate, and gracious. Even when her ability to speak was nearly gone, she still never forgot to say, “Thank You,” whenever someone did something for her.

She also was very proud of her Native American heritage. Her grandmother’s maiden name was Colbert, a very prominent name in the Chickasaw Nation.

Her interests included a wide variety of topics and she was an avid reader. She loved her church and worked, not only on the church staff, but also volunteered for many special events. She loved people, but her first and greatest love was for her father whom she greatly admired. She was so proud of his flying career and told stories of working with him at the airport and flying with him. She was a very special lady and will be greatly missed.

A memorial service for Nelda will be held May 5, 2025 at 2:00 p.m. at the First United Methodist located at 1005 Stover Street in Fort Collins, CO. Following the memorial service inurnment will be in the church columbarium. In lieu of flowers, donations can be made to the United Methodist Women Circle Lois at the First United Methodist Church in Fort Collins, CO.