Neva Elaine Carter, 90, of Stockport, IA passed away on Thursday, July 22, 2021, at Sunnybrook Assisted Living in Fairfield, IA. Funeral services will begin at 10:30 a.m. on Wednesday, July 28, 2021, at the Hillsboro Baptist Church with Pastor David Glavin officiating. Burial will be in the Vale Cemetery immediately following the service. Visitation will be held on Tuesday, July 27, 2021, at the Pedrick Funeral Home in Keosauqua beginning at 2:00 p.m. with the family present to greet friends from 5:00 p.m. until 7:00 p.m. Memorial contributions in Neva’s honor may be directed to the Harrisburg/Hillsboro Baptist Church, Vale Cemetery, or to the Van Buren Education Foundation. Friends may leave online condolences at www.cranstonfamilyfuneralhome.com.
Neva Elaine Carter was born on November 9, 1930, in rural Hillsboro, IA to John and Nellie Meyer Stecker. She attended school in Bonaparte and graduated with the Bonaparte High School Class of 1948. Neva had a passion for teaching and went on to further her education at Iowa Wesleyan in Mt. Pleasant where she received her teaching certificate. Shortly after, she took a position teaching at the Nixon School, a one room schoolhouse near Bonaparte. She eventually accepted a position with the Van Buren School Corporation teaching second grade and would remain there until her retirement. Neva was united in marriage to the love of her life, William C. Carter on June 1, 1952. Together they became loving parents to four children: Marsha, Michael, Merrill, and Mark. Neva and William spent their entire married life on their farm in rural Stockport, IA. Neva always managed to work at the school, help whenever needed on the farm, and keep things running smoothly at home. When she wasn’t working, she enjoyed playing a hand of cards with family and friends, birdwatching, spending time in her garden and maintaining her flowers. She made many memories traveling with William, and as their family expanded would travel to support their grandchildren in their sporting events. Neva also remained active in local organizations such as the Van Buren Retired School Personnel Association and the Stockport Library Board. She volunteered at the Keosauqua Health Care Center and Morris Park, as well as being a lifelong member of the Harrisburg Baptist Church, where she served as an organist and Sunday School Teacher. Neva was also proud to be the first woman to receive a pilot’s multi-engine rating at the Fairfield, IA Municipal Airport. Her dedication to her family, friends, faith, and community was unwavering, and will be remembered and cherished by those who were lucky enough to be a part of her life.
Neva was preceded in death by her parents, her loving husband, William C. Carter, and three siblings, Dean Stecker, Lester Stecker, and Rhea Brombaugh.
Left to share her story are her children, Marsha (Steve) Appleman of Keosauqua, IA, Michael (Trena) Carter of Columbus, IN, Merrill (Susan) Carter of Greenville, S.C., and Mark (Shelley) Carter of Stockport, IA; seven grandchildren, Angie (Jason) Wilfawn, Cameron Appleman, Katie (Chris) Turean, Kali (Brett) Veness, Grant (BJ) Carter, Hannah (Kevin) Fox, and Hudson Carter; twelve great grandchildren, Quentin, Kortlen, Keegan, and Claire Wilfawn, Zeb and Melati Appleman, Sydney, Chloe, and Nolan Turean, Leighton, Carter, and London Veness; foster granddaughter, Kathy (Rob) DeAngelis and their children, Robert Jr. and Colter DeAngelis; two siblings, Irma Elliott and Gilbert (Merial) Stecker; two brothers-in-law, Robert Carter and Richard Carter, as well as many extended family and friends.
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