Irma N. Carter

Irma N. (Hatten) Carter, 91 of Devils Lake, ND passed away on Saturday evening, February 4, 2017 at Altru Hospital, Grand Forks, ND.  Gilbertson Funeral Home, Devils Lake. Funeral Service for Irma will be held on Saturday, February 11, 2017 at 3:00 p.m. at St. Olaf Lutheran Church, Devils Lake with Reverend Jim Paulson officiating. Irma will be laid to rest in the Devils Lake Cemetery. Visitation will be held on Friday, February 10th at the Gilbertson Funeral Home, Devils Lake from 4:00 p.m. until 6:30 p.m. and will continue on Saturday at the church one hour prior to the funeral service. Irma Nell Hatten, daughter of Samuel and Lena (Sorbel) Hatten was born on September 25, 1925 on the family farm at Southam, ND. She attended school at Southam, Hope and Newman, ND before moving to Devils Lake when she was in her Junior year.  She graduated from Central High School and then began working at the J.C. Penney Store.  On October 27, 1946, Irma married Duane L. Carter at St. Olaf Lutheran Church in Devils Lake and they celebrated 70 years of love this past October. Along with being a devoted wife and mother, Irma worked at various places including the Elks, The Ranch, in the office of Lake Region Livestock Sales Ring until moving to Ortonville, Minnesota.  For the next 14 years, Irma worked as a secretary, dispatcher and jailor for the female inmates at the Ortonville Police Department until her retirement in 1987. In 1988, the family returned to Devils Lake and called it home until her death.  She may have retired, but she never slowed down. She volunteered at the Lutheran Home and Odd Fellows Home for many years, fixing hair and being a smiling, joyful presence to all the residents.  In her younger years, she was a 4-H Leader and Den Mother to Boy Scout Troop 31 and 141, having as many as 55 scouts at one time.    She also did many hours of volunteer work with RSVP, Pioneer Daughters and Salvation Army.  She was an active member of St. Olaf Lutheran Church, WELCA and Altar Guild, serving on the church council and as chairman of her circle for many years.  She also enjoyed membership in the VFW Auxiliary and the Fraternal Order of the Rebekah’s, serving as Noble Grand.  And then when she wasn’t volunteering she loved to entertain family and friends for birthdays and holidays, baking their favorite dishes.  She also enjoyed quilting and other crafts and made sure all her children and grandchildren were the recipients of her beautiful creations.   The Hatten family was instrumental in the upkeep and history of the Fox Lake Cemetery and Irma was very proud to be a part of that. In 2004, Irma’s failing eyesight was a life changing event but she always tried to keep a positive attitude and felt so blessed to have the loving care of her beloved Duane and family to help her through her many health issues.   We have lost someone so very special to us and to so many and she will be greatly missed. Irma is survived by her husband Duane; twins Brenda (Dennis) Crawford, Minot, ND and Brent Carter, Devils Lake; daughter-in-law Sharon Carter, Bottineau, ND; grandchildren Nicole and Cory Crawford, Stephanie (Wade) McDougal, Jessica (Steve) Iverson and Steven (Kimberly) Carter, Samantha (David) Richards, Melissa (Louie) Mangahus, Mariam Carter and Sara Miessan; great grandchildren Gabe, Anna, Scott, Tori, Kiana, Carson, Paige, Vaughn, Jacob, Ana, Milo, Anakin, Selene, Natalee, Aydan and Mariah; brother Larry (Elda) Hatten, Devils Lake; many nieces, nephews and cousins. She was preceded in death by her parents; sons Craig Carter and Sam Carter; grandchildren Jessica Carter and Jacob Carter and sister Eileen Fugle. Casket Bearers will be Rich Lybeck, Chuck Olson, Bob Hatten, Darin MacDonald, Dennis Olson and Michael Boehmer. Music will be provided by Samantha Richards and Jean Aardahl.  A special tribute will be given by Phil Ringstrom.    Irma is in the care of the Gilbertson Funeral Home, Devils Lake