William Henry Carpenter was born October 21, 1929 to Paul O. and Josephine F. (Lamp) Carpenter at Ward, South Dakota. He was baptized at St. Leo Catholic Church, Pipestone, MN and confirmed at St. Genevieve’s Catholic Church, Lake Benton, Minnesota. At age two, he moved with his parents to Cazenovia, Minnesota on a farm. In 1941 the family moved to a farm outside of Lake Benton, Minnesota where they resided until he graduated from Lake Benton High School in 1947. He then taught at Star School near Tyler, Minnesota. After his graduation, he relocated to a farm near Lake Benton. He was married to Darlene Heidebrink on August 30, 1949 at St. Martin’s Catholic Church in Woodstock, Minnesota. To this union, 9 children were born, 7 boys and 2 girls. He farmed for several years and went on to work for Lange’s Manufacturing, Winter Construction and Lincoln County where he retired in 1994. In 2017, the couple moved into Benton Valley Manor. Last year Darlene and Bill celebrated 70 years of marriage with many family and friends. Bill passed away peacefully on Friday, June 5, 2020 at his home at the age of 90 years, seven months, and 15 days.
Bill was a member of St. Genevieve Catholic Church in Lake Benton. He served on the Cemetery Board, delivered meals for Senior Dining Mealsite for many years. He enjoyed golf, woodworking, welding and especially time spent with family.
Bill is lovingly remembered by his wife, Darlene; seven children, Mike (Lynn) Carpenter of Lake Benton, Minnesota, Gerry (Mary) Carpenter of Dawson, Minnesota, Kathy (Dave) Guida of Tyler, Minnesota, Joe (Annette) Carpenter of Pipestone, Minnesota, Lonny (Angie) Carpenter of New Ulm, Minnesota, Alan (Cindy) Carpenter of Marshall, Minnesota, and Jeff (Sandy) Carpenter of Lake Benton, Minnesota; 20 grandchildren, 40 great-grandchildren; siblings, Lois Zimmer of Lake Benton, Minnesota, Ardith Larsen of Lake Benton, Minnesota, Conrad (Connie) Carpenter of College Station, Texas, and Daniel (Judy) Carpenter of LeMars, Iowa. He was preceded in death by his parents; two children, Sheila Ann and Dale Alvin Carpenter; two granddaughters, Libby Rose Carpenter, and Payton Nibbe; a grandson, Ethan Carpenter; and four siblings, Verlon Carpenter, Pearl Bauman, Paul Carpenter, and Alvin Carpente
