Nancy Carpenter, business owner

Nancy Kay Carpenter of Milford died at her home Tuesday morning, Nov. 26, 2013, surrounded by her loving family. A memorial service will be held at 7 p.m., Saturday, Nov. 30, at Berry-Short Funeral Home, 119 NW Front St., Milford, with visitation after 5 p.m. Burial will be at Rose Hill Cemetery in Clark, S.D., at a later date. She was born Jan. 12, 1950, in Watertown, S.D., the daughter of Richard and Ethel (Nichols) Neal. Nancy attended Clark High School in Clark, S.D., and later graduated with her associate's degree in Human Services from Delaware Tech, Georgetown. On Aug. 19, 1994, she married Louis H. "Dick" Carpenter Jr. in Sturgis, S.D. In 2003 she started her own cleaning business. In addition to successfully operating her own business, in 2010 she became an area manager for Star Building Services. Nancy continued both roles until the end of October 2013 due to her failing health. Some of her hobbies included cooking, baking, caring for her dogs (Rufus, Molly and Sadie), decorating, shopping, playing computer games, playing pinochle and spending time with her family and friends. Nancy will always be remembered for her incredible work ethic, devotion to her family and friends, and her spunky attitude. Preceding her in death were her parents; a daughter, Dawn Gronke; two brothers, Richard Jr. and Terry; a sister, Cathy; and brother-in-law, Bob Dunlavy. Survivors include her husband, Louis H "Dick" Carpenter; children, Daniel Gronke of Whitewood, S.D.; Jennifer (Sam) McCoy of Friendswood, Texas; and Shawn Hawley of Galveston, Texas; seven grandchildren, Aaron, Haylee and Madysyn Anderson; and Kaitlin, Trevor, Ashlynn and Taylor Hawley. She also leaves siblings, Carol (Bill) Cypher of Fargo, N.D., Michael (Julie) Neal of Barboursville, Va., and Lewes, Peggy Dunlavy of Barboursville, Va., and Patricia Gabel of Charlottesville, Va.; 18 nieces and nephews; and numerous great-nieces and -nephews.