Virginia Carpenter

Madison - Virginia "Ginny" Carpenter slipped peacefully out of this life and awakened into eternal life on Saturday, February 18, 2012 at the age of 88. She joined her husband Roman "Buck," waiting for her in heaven since his recent passing.

Ginny was the first of four children born to Gertrude (nee Ryan) and Edward Dyas on May 2, 1923. She was born in Wisconsin, when they resided in Green Lake. When she was an infant, her parents moved to Ames, Iowa where she grew up. She was voted "Most Perfect Girl" at the Iowa State Fair in 1924. She graduated from Iowa State University with a degree in home economics. She loved beauty and design and demonstrated significant artistic talent, as well as being an accomplished seamstress.

She met the love of her life, Roman "Buck" Carpenter while living in Madison. Ginny and Buck were married on October 29, 1949 and celebrated 62 years together. Six children were born of their marriage. Ginny threw herself into creating a lively and beautiful home and loved being a mother. She put her heart into hosting family and friends for dinners and holiday gatherings. While running a busy household, she was a model of patience, devotion and unconditional love to her children. After her children were all in school, she began working part time, from being an Avon lady to doing telephone surveys, to working for the Census Bureau. She was proud of her work in both the 1980 and 1990 U.S. Census. She was an active member of Blessed Sacrament parish beginning in 1960 when she and Buck settled permanently in Madison. She was a member of the National Catholic Society of Foresters and the Blessed Sacrament Rosary Altar Society. She became adept at making rosaries, along with her mother and daughter. Ginny had a lovely voice and sang with the Sweet Adelines as well as the Blessed Sacrament funeral choir. She was an active member of the Madison Home Economics Club for many years, as well as the Iowa State Alumni Association. Ginny loved and embraced her Irish heritage. She enjoyed her membership in the Shamrock Club and their activities, as well as numerous trips to Ireland.
She loved to read, especially women authors; local and Irish, English and Scottish.

Ginny is survived by her daughter Dilsha Anne (John) Happel of Thornton, CO, son Jim (Sherry) of Madison, WI, daughter-in-law Diana Krause of Oregon, WI, daughter Sara (Rob) May of Scarborough, ME, daughter Rose of Madison, WI, and son Bob (Vicky Heinz) of Spring Green, WI; also ten grandchildren and one great-grandchild. Ginny is also survived by her sister Dorothy Dempsey of Arlington Heights, IL and her brother Jim Dyas and his wife, Janice Jordan of Sherman, CT. She was preceded in death by her husband Roman, her parents, her sister Mary Kay Egeland and her son Steve.

A Memorial Mass will take place on Thursday, February 23, 2012 at 10:30 a.m. at Blessed Sacrament Church, on Rowley Avenue in Madison with Father Patrick Norris O.P. presiding. There will be a visitation in the church from 9:30 to 10:30 before the Mass and a luncheon in the church friary after the service. The family will hold a private cremation service. In lieu of flowers, donations in Ginny's name are appreciated to Agrace HospiceCare, 5395 E. Cheryl Parkway, Madison, WI 53711.

The family extends their heartfelt gratitude to Father Pat for his many prayers and spiritual guidance.

"Let not your heart be troubled: ye believe in God, believe also in me. In my Father's house are many mansions: if it were not so, I would have told you. I go to prepare a place for you." John 14:1-2