Bertha Katherine Carlton

1924 - 2011

Bertha Katherine Carlton obituary, 1924-2011, Des Moines, WA

BORN

1924

DIED

2011

FUNERAL HOME

Price-Helton Funeral Home

731 W Main St

Auburn, Washington

Bertha Carlton Obituary

Published by Legacy Remembers on Jan. 10, 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.

Memories and Condolences
for Bertha Carlton

What is your first memory of Bertha?

Share a favorite memory you have of Bertha.

Tell us about a special moment you shared with Bertha.

Describe a time when Bertha made you laugh or smile.

What is something you will always remember about Bertha?

Talk about a shared experience you had with Bertha.

What is something you did together that you enjoyed?

Describe a place or activity that reminds you of Bertha.

Tell us about a personal story or anecdote involving Bertha.

What is something you learned from Bertha?

Not sure what to say?

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

Showing 1 - 17 of 17 results

Make a Donation
in Bertha Carlton's name

Memorial Events
for Bertha Carlton

To offer your sympathy during this difficult time, you can now have memorial trees planted in a National Forest in memory of your loved one.

Funeral services provided by:

Price-Helton Funeral Home

731 W Main St, Auburn, WA 98001

How to support Bertha's loved ones
Commemorate a cherished Veteran with a special tribute of Taps at the National WWI Memorial in Washington, D.C.

The nightly ceremony in Washington, D.C. will be dedicated in honor of your loved one on the day of your choosing.

Read more
Attending a Funeral: What to Know

You have funeral questions, we have answers.

Read more
Should I Send Sympathy Flowers?

What kind of arrangement is appropriate, where should you send it, and when should you send an alternative?

Read more
What Should I Write in a Sympathy Card?

We'll help you find the right words to comfort your family member or loved one during this difficult time.

Read more
Resources to help you cope with loss
How to Write an Obituary

Need help writing an obituary? Here's a step-by-step guide...

Read more
Estate Settlement Guide

If you’re in charge of handling the affairs for a recently deceased loved one, this guide offers a helpful checklist.

Read more
Obituaries, grief & privacy: Legacy’s news editor on NPR podcast

Legacy's Linnea Crowther discusses how families talk about causes of death in the obituaries they write.

Read more
The Five Stages of Grief

They're not a map to follow, but simply a description of what people commonly feel.

Read more
Ways to honor Bertha Carlton's life and legacy
How to Write an Obituary

Need help writing an obituary? Here's a step-by-step guide...

Read more
Obituary Templates

These free blank templates make writing an obituary faster and easier.

Read more
Obituary Examples

You may find these well-written obituary examples helpful as you write about your own family.

Read more
How Do I Write a Eulogy?

Some basic help and starters when you have to write a tribute to someone you love.

Read more