Elaine Carter

Elaine Carter

July 20, 1923 – October 11, 2022

VISITATION: Sunday, October 23rd, from 2pm to 4pm at the West Center Chapel, followed by VIGIL SERVICE at 4pm.  MASS OF CHRISTIAN BURIAL: Monday, October 24th at 10am at St. Robert Bellarmine Catholic Church, 11802 Pacific St.  GRAVESIDE SERVICE: Monday, October 24th at 3pm at Hillcrest Memorial Park in Norfolk, NE.  Memorials may be directed to the Nebraska Humane Society or to the family for their choice of charity.

To view a live broadcast of the Vigil Service, please visit www.heafeyheafey.com and click the “View Live Cast” button at the top of the home page.  To view a live broadcast of the Mass, please visit www.stroberts.com.


Mardell Elaine (Story) Carter was born in Plainview, Nebraska, on July 20, 1923. She was the daughter of Mardell E. (Dutcher) Story and Arthur E. Story. Elaine’s parents passed when she was a young child, and she was raised, along with her brother Harlan, by her grandparents, William and Allie Dutcher. She married Gilbert Lyle Carter on September 23, 1939, and had three children, Judith, Gerald, and James.

During World War II, Elaine loaded up the trailer and traveled alone with two young children to Gulf Port, Mississippi, where Lyle was stationed. After the war, she worked many different jobs in retail and craft stores while Lyle was an agent for Union Pacific. They frequently relocated to several cities in Nebraska during this time, including North Loup, Callaway, Kearney, and finally Norfolk, where they settled in 1962. Elaine was a talented seamstress, creative crafter, an impressive card player, and had a natural green thumb.

Elaine always put her family first, and so, in 1975, they decided to purchase a cabin on Lewis and Clark Lake near Gavins Point Dam. The home served as a gathering place for friends and family and helped keep her children and grandchildren close. Countless wonderful memories were made in that magical place. All her grandchildren continue to delight in the stories of their time shared at the cabin. They retired there in 1985 after the completion of an extensive remodeling project solely based on Elaine’s handwritten architectural drawings.

In 1997, Elaine and Lyle made the difficult decision to sell the cabin and move to Lincoln to be closer to family. She spent many years taking care of Lyle as his health deteriorated. Lyle passed away in 2006. Elaine moved in with her daughter, Judy, in 2012. While roommates, Elaine and Judy traveled to Arizona to spend winters with Jim, her daughter-in-law Rusty and granddaughter Stacey. In 2018, due to health concerns, Elaine moved into Nye Legacy, where she spent her final years receiving visitors, playing games on her iPad, and face timing her grandchildren. She always appreciated every visit and would frequently call her visitors moments after they left just to say, “Thank you!”

Elaine, known more affectionately as “Grams,” loved her family above all else. She proudly displayed pictures of her family in every corner of her room at Nye. She was an amazing lady that was adored by all her children, grandchildren, and great-grandchildren. She was a role model for her family. They have remained extremely close because of her and remain her living legacy.

Elaine is survived by her daughter, Judith Bauerly; son, James Carter (Rusty): grandchildren: Kim Maruska, Stephanie Kemerling, Nicole Pingel, Stacey Lindsay (Scott), Chad Bauerly (Katie), Christina Carter, Michele Carter, Kevin Carter (Maggie), Debbie Perez (Jose), Michael Carter, Rebecca Keith; 13 great-grandchildren. She is preceded in death by her husband, Gilbert; son, Jerry; son-in-law, Jerry Bauerly; grandchildren-in-law, Gene Maruska and Rich Kemerling.

6 Comments

  • Jack and Marsha Dahlseid Posted October 16, 2022 12:55 pm

    Our heartfelt sympathy and love to all of Elaine’s loving family. So sorry we won’t be able to attend her services. We will keep you all in our prayers. Jack and Marsha

  • Bob and Billie Bussmann Posted October 17, 2022 12:36 pm

    My friendship with Elaine goes. back rtf when my mother, Bernice, and Elaine were JCP associates in Norfolk. Thoughts and expressions of sympathy are with the Carter Family at this time ofme.

  • Karen Sweeney Posted October 18, 2022 11:10 am

    What a beautiful tribute to a beautiful lady in ever way!

    • Vicki & Jim Schmidt Posted October 19, 2022 2:52 pm

      Great descriptions of family and family life. Lots of good memories!

  • Cheri & Mark Belger Posted October 19, 2022 12:18 pm

    Our sincere condolences to all. Elaine was a wonderful aunt, so kind and generous. Always loving and caring. We will sincerely miss her. Sorry that we couldn’t be there with you.

  • Ken and Karen Fundus Posted October 24, 2022 6:24 pm

    We were neighbors of Gil and Elaine on 12th Street in Norfolk. We enjoyed many summer evenings with them on their porch. So many fond memories of neighborhood parties on several of the front porches on our street. We missed them when they moved to the lake! So very sorry for your loss.

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