Mary H. Carter

Mary Harriett (Gruber) Carter, 77, passed away peacefully in her home on September 30, 2024 after a long battle with lung disease. A memorial service will be held 10 a.m. Friday, October 4, 2024 at the West Des Moines United Methodist Church. Burial will be at the Iowa Veterans Cemetery at a later date. It was Mary’s wish that any memorials be given to her PEO Chapter JK Recognition fund, ℅ Betty Martindale, 280 57th Ct, West Des Moines, Iowa 50266 or the West Des Moines United Methodist Church.

Mary was born June 4, 1947 in Sac City, Iowa, to Maurice D. (LTC Retired) and Harriett (Brynteson) Gruber. She graduated from Sac City High School in 1965 and Iowa Methodist School of Nursing as a Registered Nurse in 1968. She then earned her Bachelor of Arts degree from Simpson College in 1970. When she was OB/GYN instructor at Iowa Methodist School of Nursing in 1973 she met Richard Carter. They quickly fell in love and were married in Des Moines on April 6, 1974. Their daughter, Sarah Christine, was born on February 20, 1976. She cherished every moment they were together, attending Sarah’s musical performances, cross country meets, and just laughing and being together. After 5 years at home with Sarah, Mary resumed her nursing career as an office nurse at McFarland Clinic in Ames, working for doctors in various medical specialties. Nursing was a natural fit for Mary. She was kind, caring and extremely dedicated to all of her patients. Mary retired from nursing in 2000, when Rick’s banking career took them to several Northeast Iowa banks. She then devoted her time to her many hobbies. Mary was an excellent cook especially when it came to fresh fruit pies. Cherry and rhubarb were Rick’s favorites. Mary and Rick spent many hours together in the kitchen baking, cooking, grilling, and canning hundreds of jars of homegrown produce. In her final months, she would often sit at the kitchen table, reading off the ingredients and teaching Rick how to make some of their favorite dishes. For many years, Friday nights were their “date nights” when they enjoyed cooking special meals, trying new recipes, and drinking a little “fine” boxed wine with “golden oldies” playing all the while. Mary and Rick never tired of their hours together, and one of Mary’s last full meals was on their last date night when she enjoyed a plate of fresh oysters on the half shell, one of her favorite meals - and one of Rick’s least favorite dishes.

Mary was a dedicated member of PEO, a philanthropic organization dedicated to helping young women further their education beyond high school. She was a 50-year member holding all of the offices in her various chapters.

Mary loved nature, especially the Northwoods along Lake Superior where they would spend vacation time in and around Grand Marais, Minnesota. She also fed the birds, made sure they had fresh water year round, and spent many hours watching them from the deck and later from her chair. She also was an avid reader keeping careful track of the hundreds of books she had read. A talented seamstress, she loved making clothes for Sarah, quilting, and creating items for philanthropic causes.

Mary is survived by her husband, Rick; daughter, Sarah Carter (Nadeem Ramiydh); niece, Margaret and John Crawford; and nephew, Stephen and Marjorie Wilkinson-Gruber. She was preceded in death by her mother and father; brother, Loren; and niece, Elizabeth.