1924
2011
Bertha Katherine Carlton, 86, passed away January 7, 2011 in Des Moines, WA. She was born in Washburn, North Dakota. She earned a bachelors degree in history from the University of North Dakota. She taught briefly in Basin, Wyoming. She moved to Tacoma to be near her sisters Ella and Hilda. There she met Robert E. Carlton and they married June 11, 1949. She is survived by her husband of 62 years. They have three children, Cathy Swanson (Wynn), Dale Carlton (Cynthia) and John Carlton, 4 grandchildren and 2 great grandchildren. Among her accomplishments was the establishment of Tahoma House in 1981. The eight-resident home was the areas first federally-financed group home for the developmentally disabled. Memorial services to celebrate Bertha's life will be held Friday January, 14th 2:00pm at Wesley Lea Hill 32049 109th Place SE Auburn, WA 98092, 253-876-6000. Memorial donations to Tahoma House 4202 S 64th St. Tacoma, WA 98409 or Wesley Homes Foundation, Lea Hill Residence Assistance Fund. Online sentiments may be journaled at www.price-heltonfuneralhome.com
To plant trees in memory, please visit the Sympathy Store.
January 31, 2011
Cathy Swanson
Thank you Mom,
For Understanding me
Showing me how to make Snow Angels
Being a Girl Scout Leader
For giving me a surprise Birthday Party
Teaching me how to make Bread
Showing me how to sew
Keeping my Childhood simple and carefree
Taking us to the Library in a wagon
Going Shopping together
Sending me to College
Being there as I was raising my family
Teaching me how to be thrifty (it’s still a struggle)
All the wonderful Family Vacations
Thank you most of all for being my Mother. I love you and will miss you.
January 31, 2011
Pat Clark
I just wanted to express my sympathy for your loss at Bertha's passing. She was one of the first people I met on moving here. I respected her knowledge, and how even the chef would come out to meet her if she had some "suggestions". I will miss her.
January 31, 2011
Delodres Glesener
Dear Uncle Bob,
I am so sorry... she was an outstanding person. My heart goes out to you, Cathy, Dale and John. Thank God for them! Love & prayers.
January 31, 2011
Marlene Cloos
Uncle Bob, I'm so sorry for your loss. She was a very special lady. I really thought a lot of her. With Love
January 31, 2011
George & Jackie Burke
With Deepest Sympathy, we love you and will miss Babe greatly.
January 31, 2011
Randy & Cora Lewis
We are truly sorry at Babe's passing. Our thoughts are with you during this sad time. Regards
January 31, 2011
Dyane & Marvin Nueman
Our thoughts & prayers are with you. We will miss Babe.
January 31, 2011
Alice Olson
Dear Bob, I enjoyed seeing and knowing you and Bertha each day at meal time. Bertha was my friend. I will miss her too.
January 31, 2011
Gigi & Rik Shafer
With our sympathy. May God Bless you and be with you.
January 31, 2011
Kari Rallo
Bertha was a wonderful part of the Lea Hill community and will be greatly missed. Know that many staff and residents have you and your family in their thoughts at this time. With sympathy
January 31, 2011
Lon & Kathy Henry
We are so sorry to hear of your mom's passing- she was a lovely lady. I sure enjoyed the few visits I had with her. Our thoughts and sympathy are with your family.
January 24, 2011
God chooses ordinary people to do extraordinary things. Mrs Carlton was that ordinary person and she did do extraordinary things. She was a visionary. She was the need for a home to be built in the community where mentally challenged adults could live, work and play. Shew knew many other families faced with the same challenges that she was faced with. There had to be a way to achieve this so she and her husband, started out on a quest to have a home bulit.
She was a trail blazer, she was about to attempt something that no one else had ever done before.
In 1979, she approached the federal government for the funding. For those of us who knew her, you know she was not going to take no for an answer. She continued on her quest until the Dept. of Housing and Urban Development (HUD)
provided the funding and the city utility company donated the land.
This was not the end of it, she continued to get donations of needed furniture and other household appliances and completely furnished the entire home.
Her job was not done yet, she had even had the yard completely landscaped.
Finally, after 2 years, the doors of Tahoma House opended to receive their first clients. Three of the original clients still resides at Tohoma House today.
Over the past 30 years, many individuals with disabilities and their families have bebefited by her efforts. What a wonderful legacy she leaves .
Today, we celebrate her life and the legacy she leaves behind. We will always cherish her friendship and her wise council. May the life shhe lived inspire us all to do extraordinary things for ordinary people.
In Sympathy, The Board of Directors and Tahoma House Staff,
Linda B. Cumberbatch, Administrator
January 23, 2011
Les & Edie Humpal
May God bless you and your family in this time of sorrow.
January 14, 2011
DeAnne Moukit
I really enjoyed my time with Bertha at Wesley Homes.I would take a break sit and have small talk over a half a cup of coffee. We would always snicker at the end when she would say "You better get up and get moving before they catch ya!"
I am sad Bertha is gone and I will miss her deeply. But I have comfort in knowing that today Bertha is standing tall, thin and Beautiful and loving her second chance to dance!
January 13, 2011
marlys [skaley] anderson
May God bless you and your family in this time of sorrow.
January 11, 2011
Jim, Colleen Wirtjes
Uncle Bob and family, our deepest condolences and sincere sympathy. For so many years, we enjoyed chatting with Babe during the August Family Reunion at Ike Kinzua State Park. Our thoughts and prayers are with you.
From the entire Wirtjes Family.
January 11, 2011
Sincere condolence to Bob/his family.
Betty/Neal Sparks: St. John's council 1969
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