Ambrose Carpenter

On the last day of 2008 Ambrose took his last earthly breath and went to live eternally with God. The cause of his death came from complications of Parkinson's disease and Pneumonia. With the exception of an old and tired body, he left with a young spirit and big heart at the mere young age of 88.             Mass of Christian Burial will be held on Monday, January 5, 2009 at 10:30 a.m. at the Divine Mercy Catholic Church, at Sacred Heart in Faribault, with the Rev. Fernando Ortega, officiating. Interment will be held at the Meadow Ridge Memorial Park, Faribault with military honors provided by the Rice County Central Veterans Organization.             Visitation will be held at the Parker Kohl Funeral Home in Faribault on Sunday from 2:00 to 5:00 p.m. and at the church on Monday for one hour prior to services.             Ambrose Ernest Carpenter was born to Adelord and Mata (Plitzkow) Carpenter on August 11th in the year of 1920. He was born and raised in the Fox Lake area on their family farm. He grew up with an appreciation for the simple farm life as did his siblings, Bernard, Violet and Leonard. He loved to fish and dream and flourished in just being outdoors, a passion that would remain his entire life.             He grew to be a handsome yet shy young man. So it was then later at a dance at the Blue Moon that he laid eyes on the love of his life, Stella Uhlir. It took a while and more chance encounters before he braved an approach to court her. After two years having earned her hand in marriage, their wedding took place on the cold wintery day of January 7, 1942 at St. Patrick's Catholic Church in Shieldsville. He thought he was marrying an angel and would tell of this memory often. For as Stella walked up the isle to him in her white flowing gown, the heat registers directly beneath her in the isle blew her gown up and out and made her appear to be as a beautiful floating angel.             They began their lives together by settling out east of Faribault on one of his father's farms. Life was so good, their spring chicks were delivered, the crops were in and their first child was on its way. But then with the bombing of Pearl Harbor and the beginning of World War II, he was drafted into the U.S. Navy and within just weeks had to leave his happy farm life and the wife that he so loved to board the USS Tryon APHI. He was schooled prior for the duties of engine repair and boiler room. He thought it was fortunate that the Tryon would have its own Chaplain, Francis De Sales W. Nolan and would develop a very close relationship with him that followed for years after. But the main purpose of the USS Tryon was to go along the islands in the Philippines following an attack and bring aboard our dead and wounded soldiers and deliver them to the hospital ships or home for burial. There was much pain and suffering to be seen and he would witness hundreds of men losing their lives before getting to the hospital ships. Ambrose would often serve as altar server for mass at sea, having to hold down the makeshift altar from the rocking of turbulent waves. It was his faith that helped him endure this time.             And this of course was by far the most difficult time of his life. He sorely missed his Stella and the arrival and early years of his first born son, Ambrose Jr.'s life. Stella could only send letters and pictures of his growing son that he had yet to even hold. Yet in spite of this he served his time honorably for our country and would always love to share his experiences and talk with other veterans the hardships and pride they felt to serve their country.             When the war ended, Ambrose returned home to his Stella and Ambrose Jr. and found employment with E.J. Duffney Plumbing where he worked for many years first as a Journeyman, then as a master plumber. He would later started his own business in 1965, Carpenter Plumbing and Heating. He trained three sons and one son-in-law his trade and they worked for years together until his well deserved retirement.             Ambrose enjoyed so many interests and hobbies, too many to even fill in those years. Many fishing trips were made up north to Rainy Lake. They ice fished, walking right out on Roberds Lake from their country home. They were also known for their beautiful productive gardens. They both loved to dance and kept young with the Polka Club and traveling.             Through the years he worked and volunteered for many different organizations. He was a member of the Knights of Columbus, the VFW, the Eagles Club and the American Legion, all in Faribault. He loved Cursillo, his church family and honored and followed his Christian faith in all circumstances. He was a simple man made holy by how he chose to live.             In his youth he had taught himself to play the guitar and harmonica and would spend hours playing and practicing his music. He was blessed with a beautiful tenor voice and recorded his music to pass on to his family. Anyone who camped with or spent any time with him knew of his love for music and would often join in when handed his homemade music books to follow along with.             Sadly though, his plans of singing and making music in his golden years were greatly shortened by the onset of Parkinson's. He was never angry or bitter from this, but always grateful for all the quality years he did have playing, singing, fishing and dancing. He was a shining example of true gratitude and would always find the good in every circumstance. There was always time for a smile and a good word to be had, with a delightful and quick witted humor that would remain with him until the end.             Ambrose is survived by his beloved wife, Stella of nearly 67 years. And repeated in his own recent words "Still as beautiful as the day they met. His two daughters, Sharon (Dean) Bauer and Marian (James) Langeslag; his three sons, Francis (Jeanette) Carpenter, Ralph Carpenter and his wife Lois Wakefield and Ronald (Sue) Carpenter, all of Faribault; his brother Leonard (Cathy) Carpenter of Modesto, CA and his sister Violet Hrabe of New Prague, MN. His In Laws, Loretta Wagner of St. Cloud, Gladys Roell of Faribault, Jerry and Deloris Broin of Green Isle and Francis and Caroline Uhlir of Faribault and other relatives and friends. Ambrose treasured being with his 14 grandchildren and 10 great grandchildren and would share with all of them his love for life.             He was preceded in death by his parents, his first born son Ambrose Jr. (Bob) Carpenter, his brother Bernard and sister in law Anna Carpenter, brothers in law, Joseph Hrabe, Joe Adamek, Elmer Roell and Harvey Wagner and by his father and mother in law Frank and Rose Uhlir.             His was a life well lived and so very blessed. "Enter into His gates with Thanksgiving and into His courts with praise, be thankful to Him, and bless His name." Psalm 100:4