Helen Iverson Carter

Helen Iverson Carter, of Seattle Washington, died Sunday, November 3, 2019.
Helen was born in Piatigorsk, Russia, the oldest of four childrenborn to a Norwegian American father, George Iverson, and a    Russian mother, Lydia Zherbina. In 1931, Helen, her brother    George, and her parents sailed to the US, settling in Bismarck,    ND. They had few resources, but enjoyed reading, music, picnics,    and visiting extended family in Montana and South Dakota,    particularly the ranch at Chance.
After graduating from Bismarck High in 1946, Helen attended Oregon State University for two years, also learning mountain climbing. When her parents and sisters moved to Seattle, she    joined them. Helen enjoyed folk dancing, where she met George Carter. They were married in 1955 and had two children, Jeffrey and Laurie.  She found being a full-time mother very fulfilling. She and George divorced in 1993 and remained friends.
In 1975, Helen earned her BA in English, becoming an outstanding  grade school teacher. She retired in 1993. Helen liked traveling, picnics, animals (particularly cats),  classical music, reading, drawing, the ocean, and getting together with friends.
Helen is predeceased by her former husband, George Carter, her    parents, her brother, George Iverson, and her sisters, Alice  Percival and Mary June Iverson. She is survived by her son, Jeffrey Carter and his wife Lisa Peterson, her daughter, Laurie  Carter, and her brother-in-law, W. Keith Percival. She is also survived by three nieces, a nephew, cousins in both the US and Russia, and dear friends. The family extends their deepest thanks to everyone at Park Ridge Care Center who so warmly cared for Helen in her battle with dementia.
Memorial date will be December 8 at 2 p.m. at the University Congregational Church, Seattle WA.