Doris I Carpenter

SUN PRAIRIE-Doris Ione “Dodie” Carpenter, 94, went to Heaven on March 24, 2019, at Hyland Crossings Memory Care in Sun Prairie WI, surrounded by her family. Doris is survived by her daughter, Christine Dinger of Sun Prairie, WI; son, Steven Carpenter of Oregon, WI; grandchildren, Marc Dinger (Lenore Walker) Marshall, WI, Casey Dinger (Diana Davila) Denver, CO, Soren Carpenter, Munich Germany and Sonja Carpenter of Antioch IL; great-grandchildren, Kyle Novak (Mitchell) Madison WI, Cameron Dinger Marshall, WI, Mae Carpenter Placerville, CA; great-great-grandsons, Shane and Bryson Carpenter. She was preceded in death by her husband, Russell Carpenter; parents, Charles and Petra (Nording) Crandall; a brother, Russell (Delores) Crandall; three grandchildren, Nicole Carpenter, and Charles and Patrick Learmonth; and many family members and friends. Doris was born on March 9, 1925, in the small village of Albion, Wisconsin. The youngest child and only daughter of Charlie and Petra. She entered the world in the midst of a brutal Spring ice storm. The doctor's car slid off the road, so midwife Lizzy Smith was called upon to help birth Miss Doris. Her brother, Russell, nicknamed “Bud” was 11 years older and helped guide her as she played and investigated the world around her. Dodie remembered when she was very little looking up at her dad and asking with a pleading voice, “Papa, take a Dodo”. Because she couldn't pronounce Doris, Charlie and Bud nicknamed her Dodie. A much better choice than dodo! At five years old, Dodie embarked on a lifelong adventure with music. While staying with her uncle Jim and aunt Mary Noble she would beg to go into the unheated spare room where she had discovered a piano. Without any lessons, she began to chord and play. Later she would take six years of lessons and her mom bought a piano for $18.00 so she could practice at home. She had a God-given gift to play by ear and then to read music. At six years old, she played the “Irish Washer Woman” on the harmonica in a local show. When she was nine Dodie attended a wedding and when the orchestra took a break, Dodie sat in and played. The dancing continued uninterrupted. Her family moved around considerably in her childhood which was during the depression era, but she always recalled that time as fun-filled and happy, even though times were tough and money scarce. Dodie attended Edgerton High School and excelled in music. She played the trombone in the band, sang in the girls’ chorus and played piano as the only female for the orchestra called the “Rhythm Aires”. She graduated at 17 in 1942 and went on to attend Milton College, studying music for two years and participating in many dramas and musical events. The summer after her second year, she took a position at the Parker Pen Company in Janesville and decided those pay checks looked pretty good. That same autumn, Dodie attended a going away dance for her military-bound cousin, Glen Nording. There was a young man and good friend of Glen's named Russell “Russ” Carpenter, at this event and Dodie's relatives and friends kept introducing them. In fact, they were introduced five different times. There just happened to be a piano on hand and of course with the encouragement of family and friends, Dodie sat down and played. Russ said he was hooked! A couple of weeks later, Russ called to ask for a date. In January after only a few dates, he called and told her he had something that would look nice on the piano. Her heart racing, she wondered what it could be, she had only known him for a short time. When he came to see her, he had a piece of sheet music which he placed on the piano. She said she breathed a sigh of relief, only to then have him quickly drop to one knee and ask for her to marry him! She obviously said yes and that started quite an adventure. He a farmer, she a city girl - many on both sides of the family and their friends advised against their plan, but on June 1, 1945, they were married in the middle of a thunderstorm. As a farmer’s wife, it was a baptism by fire. Dodie’s mom had always been at home and Dodie was not Susie-homemaker. Dodie, all of 110 pounds, became responsible for washing the heavy milking equipment, helping with dairy cows, then over the years raising chickens, ducks, turkeys, pigs, sheep and some beef cattle. There was also gardening, cooking, ironing and baking, none of which she was prepared for! On Mother's Day, May 9, 1948 Christine was born. Three years later they added a son, Steve to their family. They felt blessed to have a son and daughter. A major shift took place in 1951 as they held an auction selling the dairy herd as well as much of the farm equipment. Horses replaced the cows and the farm became known as “Carpenter's Horseshoe Ranch”. They boarded horses as well as having their own. A riding club was created called “The Thunder-Hoof Riders”. The Ranch and Riders held a large rodeo fund-raiser for a little boy to have open-heart surgery at Mayo Clinic (which was a success), held trail riding events, participated in parades and other rodeos. The ranch also had a riding stable, gave riding lessons and guided wooded trail rides. They also hosted many hayrides which were accompanied by a bonfire, sometimes food and music from various church groups, Boys and Girls Scouts Troops and other clubs. Dodie embarked on a new adventure in March of 1956 joining Wisconsin Power & Light Company in their Sales and Marketing Department. Her career at WPL as a receptionist lasted for 31 years. She retired in July of 1987 with quite the fanfare: Limo ride, car caravan, cakes, parties and smashing the alarm clock (on the second try) all celebrated with many coworkers, friends and family. One of her former supervisors was there and said, “one of Doris's most admirable qualities is her enthusiasm and that whatever she enters into she does it wholeheartedly with a loyal and enthusiastic attitude.” Russ and a good friend began building the couple’s dream home in 1959. Thus, began another eventful transition in March of 1960 when the family left the farm and headed for suburban living in Sun Prairie. They joined Our Savior's Lutheran Church where both became very active. Dodie joined the choir and then directed it for a few years, putting on a successful Christmas Cantata which was attended by many city residents. Dodie tried on another hat after retirement, joining and supporting her husband. Donning a bright yellow wig, a huge red-lipped smile and red heart on her nose she became Sonshine, the new bride of Rainbo the clown. Sitting on the back of a large convertible during the Flags of Freedom Parade, Rainbo introduced his wife to the cheering crowd at which time the new couple would thrill them even more as they kissed, long eyelashes touching and lips smacking. They entertained as professional clowns, crafted animal balloons and brought many smiles to young and old alike during the next three years. They performed at events in at many church events, a promotional event in Washington DC, many company picnics, grand openings, birthday parties and parades. They also taught a mini “clown course” at the University of Wisconsin-Madison. They clowned at the kick-off ice cream social held for a new candidate for Governor in 1986, Tommy Thompson. Whenever Russ and Dodie clowned professionally, they would also volunteer by visiting the UW Children's Hospital, nursing homes, people in the hospital or shut-ins. By far, their biggest fans were their family members. The grandchildren certainly attended more parades than the average child and sometimes were in them as well! Russ went to Heaven in 1991 after a 10-year struggle with cancer. During those years, Dodie was always at his side, helping, encouraging and praying for the love of her life. The presence, grace and mercy of God was upon them. After Russ passed, Dodie once again threw herself into life. While she grieved his loss, in time she once again enjoyed helping, traveling, laughing, playing games and her music with friends and family. Dodie regularly took a car full of ladies to Christian Woman's Club. She also helped friends by taking them to appointments, doing household chores or planning special events. She worked at her church (Living Water) serving in the prayer ministry, as a greeter and helping out when and wherever she could. The past few years had been rough for Dodie, with pain and suffering. She never let it get the best of her though. Dodie was a strong woman, physically, emotionally and spiritually. The last three years at Hyland Crossings, she played her harmonica, sang her heart out and her toes were always tapping to her music. She lived up to her clown name with her infectious smiles and giggles spreading the “Son-shine” to everyone who met her. Where Dodie was, there was light, laughter and love. A funeral service will be held at LIVING WATER CHURCH, 3075 Prospect Dr., Sun Prairie, at 11 a.m. on Saturday, March 30, 2019, with a luncheon to follow. Visitation will be held at the church from 9 a.m. until the time of the service on Saturday. Online condolences may be made at www.gundersonfh.com. Gunderson East Funeral & Cremation Care 5203 Monona Dr. 608-221-5420