Iris Barbara Carter
Iris Barbara Carter, who lived almost all of her life in the Hoquiam, Washington, area, died Nov. 17 in Sitka, at the age of 93. She had lived in Sitka since March 2017, and was a Sitka Pioneers Home resident at the time of her death.
“Mom was a beautiful person,” said her daughter, Barbara L. Sturm, of Sitka. “We couldn’t ask for a better mom. She had a wonderful sense of humor, and was so much fun to be with.
“She is loved and will be missed by all of us.”
Iris was born at home March 14, 1927, in Lebam, Washington, the daughter of Bert and Ardith (King) Nickell. She attended school in Wishkah, outside Aberdeen, and when she was 17 she and classmate Warren Max Carter (also 17 but two days younger than she) got married. He went to work for Rayonier Pulp and Paper Co., and she worked as a grocery store clerk in Aberdeen, at a laundry, and at the Rayonier paper division.
Iris was very active in the Daughters of the American Revolution, and was a member of the Polson Museum and Friends of the Library in Hoquim.
The Carters enjoyed life. They especially liked dancing, and Iris made western costumes for their square-dancing times. Warren Max Clark died in 2013 – “So they are dancing together now,” their daughter said.
Survivors include her daughter, Barbara Sturm (Tony) of Sitka; sons Daniel Carter (Ginger) of North River, Washington, and Albert Carter (Judy) of Hoquiam; and numerous grandchildren, great-grandchildren and great-great-grandchildren, cousins, nephews and nieces – she had a very large and loving family.
Services are pending in Hoquiam.
The family suggests that in lieu of flowers, donations be made to the Sitka Pioneers Home.
