Dolores Jean (Rickard) Carpenter

Dolores Jean Carpenter (nee Rickard), age 94, died peacefully at her home in Jackson, WI on December 6, 2024. Dolores was born May 22, 1930 to Bernard and Hattie (Tominsek) Rickard in Milwaukee, WI. She grew up on the east side of Milwaukee and was a proud graduate of Cass Street Elementary and Lincoln High School. After high school, Dolores worked at Schuster's Department Store as a secretary for one of the buyers, Mr. Risley. She often spoke fondly of her time working there. She was married to LaVerne Carpenter on May 4, 1957 at Holy Rosary Catholic Church. They have two children, David and Nancy.

After raising her family, Dolores worked as an attendance secretary at Madison High School, MPS. She worked there for 16 years until she retired in 1995. She enjoyed working with the staff and students and had many stories to share of her time there. She joined the USO after high school. She was a member of a “Sewing Club” in which the members never seemed to complete a sewing project but were highly successful in building and maintaining a strong group of lifelong friends. Dolores made friends throughout her life and some of them remained for her lifetime.

Dolores valued family above all else. Husband, children, grandchildren, great-grandchildren, parents and grandparents, siblings, in-laws, nieces, nephews, aunts, uncles, cousins and all their children. She loved them all, took an interest in their lives, and tried to maintain those connections. Each one mattered to her. She was especially proud of her children and grandchildren. Dolores was thrilled to be a great grandma. She looked forward to visits with the little ones she loved so dearly. They brought her so much joy. Dolores enjoyed traveling to spend time with family and friends. Over the years she made many trips to Springfield, Iowa, and Upper Michigan to visit with extended family. She looked forward to an annual trip up north with her sisters and father, where they would go fishing, swimming and of course casino hopping. She enjoyed trips to Arizona, Texas, Florida, Las Vegas and Ireland.

Dolores is survived by her two children, David (Shelley) Carpenter and Nancy (Thomas) Giguere, six grandchildren and two great grandchildren. She is also survived by her sister Carole Mateicka and brother Gordon (Joan) Rickard, and many beloved nieces, nephews, family and friends. She is preceded in death by her husband, LaVerne Carpenter, parents Hattie (Tominsek) Rickard and Bernard Rickard, sister Lorraine (Rickard) Schaufelberger as well as many brothers and sisters in law and other loved relatives and friends.

Visitation will be held for Dolores on Saturday, December 14, 2024 from 9:30am until the time of Mass of Christian Burial at 11:00am, all at St. Bernadette Catholic Church, 8200 West Denver Avenue, Milwaukee, Wisconsin 53223. Private interment Holy Cross Cemetery, Milwaukee, Wisconsin.

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