Paulette Arlene Carter

Paulette Carter passed away after a yearlong battle with Leukemia on October 29, 2026, at her home in Meridian, Idaho. Her family surrounded her at the time of her death. Paulette was born on December 24, 1949, in Great Falls, Montana, to Archie and Anna Munson, the youngest of eight children. Paulette grew up in a large family and spent much of her early life in Libby, Montana. She often recalled the summers she spent with her sister Kathy Stelling and her family in Deer Lodge, Montana. Paulette’s first job was a grounds keeper at the Hillcrest Cemetery in Deer Lodge, Montana. She fondly recalls how she got the job beating out all the boys. Paulette graduated from Hamilton High School in 1968 as her father worked for the U.S. Forest Service. After high school she went to Helena to attend Carroll College and graduated in 1972 with an Elementary Education Degree. From there she moved to Great Falls where she worked as a teacher for 3 years. It was there she met Terry Carter on a blind date, he was living in California at the time. Paulette and Terry were married on November 1, 1975, in Clarkston, Washington, beginning a marriage that spanned more than 50 years. Together, they built a life filled with adventure and memories, including waterskiing on the Snake River, snow skiing around the Pacific Northwest, parasailing in Jamaica, and golfing in Hawaii. Their two children, Olivia and Cody, were Paulette’s pride and joy. She continued her work as a schoolteacher in Lewiston, Idaho, until 1985, when she stepped away to support her children’s education. Her love of history remained a part of teaching her children, and she later returned to the classroom as a substitute teacher. She dearly loved her two grandsons, Oakley and Braxton, who loved their Nana in return. Over the years, Paulette and Terry lived in Clarkston, Washington; Lewiston, Idaho; Liberty Lake, Washington; and Henderson, Nevada, before moving to Meridian, Idaho, to be closer to their children and grandchildren.

Paulette loved golfing with her family and was elected president of the Clarkston Golf and Country Club Ladies Association in 1996. On November 11, 2011, she achieved her first hole-in-one on Hole #16 at Clarkston Golf and Country Club. Beyond the golf course, she enjoyed reading books and playing Wahoo with her kids and grandkids. She amassed quite a collection of Precious Moments figurines and maintained a fabulous rose garden wherever she lived. Above all, she enjoyed being with her family and celebrating all their milestones.

Paulette is survived by her husband, Terry; her children, Olivia (Shane) McGregor and Cody (Kelly) Carter; her grandchildren, Oakley McGregor and Braxton Carter; her brother, Steve; and numerous nieces, nephews, and cousins. She is reunited in heaven with her parents, Archie and Anna; her brothers, Lew and Bob; and her sisters, Betty Ann (Hafferman), Grace (Wyatt), Sandie (Waltz), and Kathy (Stelling). A funeral Mass will be celebrated on December 3, 2026, at 11:00 a.m. at Holy Apostles Catholic Church, 6300 N Meridian Rd, Meridian, ID. A holy rosary will precede the Mass at 10:00 a.m. Burial will follow at the Holy Apostles Catholic Church Columbarium. Following the funeral Mass, a luncheon featuring a celebration-of-life video will be held at the church.

In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be made to Holy Apostles Catholic Church, or St Luke’s Cancer Care Center of Boise, ID.