Virginia Ellen Otto Carter

1923 - 2022

Carter, Virginia Ellen Otto

Virginia Ellen Otto Carter died peacefully with family by her side in Jackson Hole, Wyoming, on September 13, 2022, at age 99. Born January 20, 1923, in Appleton, Wisconsin, Virginia, known as Ellen to some, Mrs. Carter to many, and Nana to her grandchildren, was the middle of three children of George Gerald Otto and Christine Cleveland. Ellen had fond memories of growing up in Fairmont in Alton, Illinois, with her sister, June McMenamy, and brother John Otto.

Ellen spent her formative years as a weekday boarding student at Villa Duchesne Convent of the Sacred Heart. Ellen graduated with a Bachelor of Social Work degree from Maryville College. When Ellen was 18, she met her future husband, Henry King Carter. King made an instant impression on Ellen, quiet, handsome, with piercing blue eyes; he was smitten from the get-go. World War II intervened, and it was nine years before Ellen became Mrs. Henry King Carter. They settled in Ladue where they raised six children.

After the birth of their fifth child, King and Ellen decided they needed a place outside of St. Louis for their children to run wild, and by chance, chose Jackson Hole, Wyoming. Little did they know when they bought their home there in 1965 that they would build a life that would firmly anchor their growing family between Jackson Hole and St. Louis.

In the midst of corralling six children, Ellen was integral in the early formation of the Pro-Life movement for The Archdiocese of St. Louis and Birthright. Classically trained, Ellen loved to sing. A devoted Catholic, Ellen was a daily Communicant and served her Church in many capacities. In her later years, Ellen enjoyed keeping up with her 6 children, 15 grandchildren, and 13 great-grandchildren. Never one to sit on the sidelines, Ellen traveled the world with her family. Ellen and King split their golden years between St. Louis, Jackson Hole, and Vero Beach, Florida. She was always a good athlete and a good sport who enjoyed golf, tennis and swimming with her family.

Virginia Ellen Otto Carter celebrated over 59 years of marriage with the love of her life, Henry King Carter, who passed away in 2009. They were blessed with a large family, Robert King Carter (deceased), wife Joan (deceased), children Katherine, Jenny, and Kara; Mark Carter (deceased), wife Amy, children Heather, Mark, Courtney, Lauren, Hunter, and Michael; Ellen Carter-Tracy, husband Joe Tracy, children Matthew, Audie, and Phillip; Ann King Carter; Mary Elzemeyer, husband Steve Elzemeyer (deceased), children William and Erich and Jane Carter, husband Kevin Getz, child Jack King.

Surviving with uncommon grace the death of her husband, two sons, and a son-in-law, Ellen was a testament to family, friends, and acquaintances of the power of Faith. An amazing mother, she was elegant, kind, witty, and beautiful on the inside and out. She will be missed by her family, for whom she was the Matriarch, and her many friends who delighted in knowing her. In lieu of flowers, please consider donating to the Carmelite Monastery, 9150 Clayton Rd, St. Louis, MO 63124, in her memory.

Services: A Memorial Mass will be held at St Joseph's Church in Clayton on Tuesday, October 11 at 10 a.m.