Delores Emma Carleton

Delores “Nork” Emma Carleton, age 87, passed away in her home peacefully on Tuesday, March 7, 2023.
She was born on November 1, 1935, on her family farm in Convis Township to Frank and Emma (Jones) Masters. In her younger years, she spent a lot of time with her mother and father on the farm. She was the youngest of seven children, having one sister and five brothers. Delores went to the country school until 8th grade and later graduated from Olivet High School in 1954. She then later found the love of her life, Ken Carleton and they were married on August 8, 1955. After high school, she worked at IGA grocery store until 1956. She later worked at State Farm for 13 years as a lead key punch operator. In between she became a stay-at-home mom until her kids were all in school. She then worked at Olivet Community Schools for 22 years and retired in 1999. Delores was such a smart, hardworking, passionate wife, mother, and grandmother.
Delores bowled on the Moose League with her husband, Ken, every other Saturday night and later bowled with her daughters on the Women’s League. She enjoyed gardening, reading, dancing, playing piano, putting puzzles together, drawing, playing card games, and being with her kids and grandkids. She also had much love for her animals.
Her beautiful life will forever be cherished in the lives of her children, Ken “Randy” (Dawn) Carleton of Olivet, Karen (Trevor Greenman) Lewallen of Tekonsha, and Kevin (Heidi) Carleton of Shelbyville, Indiana; six grandchildren Christie, Erin, Nicholas, Haley, Blake, and Baylee; and six great-grandchildren.
She was preceded in death by her parents, husband Kenneth, and daughter Karla Carleton.
Funeral services were held on Monday, March 13, 2023, at Kempf Family Funeral and Cremation Services, 723 US Hwy 27 N, Marshall, Michigan 49068 with Pastor Jack Brown officiating. Burial took place at Bosworth Cemetery in Olivet, Michigan.
Memorials are suggested to the Calhoun County Human Society, 165 Union St. S., Battle Creek, Michigan 49014.
Please visit https://www.kempffuneralhome.com to view the online obituary, sign the online guest book or to leave the family condolences.