Obituaries

Charlotte Stone Carey, 85, was called home by her Lord and Savior Jesus Christ on February 15, 2024 after a four-year battle with dementia. Charlotte was born December 19, 1938 in Lead, South Dakota to Benjamin R. Stone, Jr. and Veronica Clark Stone.

Charlotte’s selfless devotion to her parents, her three siblings, and her husband and son were a source of admiration to all who knew her. She grew up as part of a close-knit, loving family in the majestic Black Hills which she always thought of as home. Some of her fondest memories from her youth were of the time she spent as a camperand later counselor at “Paha Sapa” Girl Scout Camp and studying modern dance. She carried her love of dance and music – especially Elvis! – with her to the end and couldoften be seen “arm dancing” in her wheelchair even in her final days.

Charlotte’s adventurous spirit took her away from her beloved Black Hills for most of her life, though she visited as often as she could. Her adventures began shortly after graduating from Lead High School in 1956 when she traveled across the Midwest to the first-ever national Girl Scout Camporee near Detroit, Michigan. Following that incredible experience she attended Cottey College in Nevada, Mo. and Colorado State College in Greeley, where she earned a bachelor’s degree in elementary education. She spent the next 16 years teaching 1st -3rd grade at schools in Security, Colo. and Madison, Wis., and adding a master’s degree from Drake University to her list of life achievements. Charlotte thoroughly enjoyed inspiring young minds and clearly left a positive impression on many of her students as they often kept in touch with her well into high school and even adulthood!

Her adventures did not end with her move to Wisconsin in 1963. Two years later she drove to New York State with her sister to attend the World’s Fair, and in 1971 she had the experience of a lifetime on safari in Western and Eastern Africa. She would excitedly talk about the latter trip well into her golden years, which included more travels: to Germany, Italy, Switzerland, the British Isles and all but a few U.S. states.

Charlotte’s parents instilled a deep faith and love of God in her which she would hold onto throughout her life. She spent many mornings reading daily devotionals and scripture and taking them all to heart. She was always active in her church and is believed to have been the first woman altar server at St. Patrick’s Church in Madison.

The faith and patience taught to Charlotte by her parents paid off in her late 30s when her two lifelong dreams finally came true. She met the love of her life, Gerard Carey (“Jerry”) at a “dear-hunting” party in November 1973 and the two were wed on October 19, 1974. Three years and one day later, Charlotte’s second dream came true with the birth of her son and only child, William Arthur (“Bill”).

Although she was passionate about her career, Charlotte retired from teaching to be a stay-at-home mom and focused on raising Bill. Outside of the demands of child-rearing she found time to help Jerry clean and maintain his three apartment buildings near the UW campus, care for Jerry's father and aunt, assist at Bill’s schools, and even be a Den Mother for Bill’s Cub Scout Pack. She was also active in multiple volunteer organizations, often holding leadership roles, including president of P.E.O. Chapter AE and regent of Catholic Daughters of the Americas Court Madison.

Charlotte is survived by her son, William, daughter-in-law, Mary Myers (both of Columbus, Ohio), brother, William J. Stone (Lead), sister-in-law Mary Pat Stone (Des Moines, Iowa), four nieces and nephews and several great-nieces and nephews and
cousins.

She was preceded in death by her parents, her husband of 36 years, her older brother
Benjamin R. Stone III, and her sister and best friend, Sue Stone.

A Mass of Christian Burial will be held on Saturday, February 24, 2024, at 11:00 a.m. at St. Bernard Catholic Church, 2438 Atwood Ave, Madison. A visitation will be held on Friday, February 23, 2024, from 5:00 p.m. to 7:00 p.m. at Ryan Funeral Home, 2418 N. Sherman Ave, Madison, and also will be held on Saturday at the church from 10:00 a.m. until the time of Mass. Interment will follow at Resurrection Catholic Cemetery.

In lieu of flowers, the family requests memorial donations be made to St. Bernard
Catholic Church, Madison, Wis., Cottey College Scholarship Fund, 1000 W. Austin Blvd., Nevada, Mo., or a charity of your choice.

To view and sign this guestbook, please visit: www.ryanfuneralservice.com.

Ryan Funeral Home & Cremation Services

2418 N. Sherman Ave.

608-249-8257