Obituary of Josephine Carpenter

Carpenter, Josephine “Jo” Angeline (Vitali), 83 years old, of Palm Harbor, FL, formerly of Chisholm and Roseville, MN, passed away peacefully on 2/1/15 surrounded by family. Josephine was born in Chisholm, MN, and graduated from high school in the class of 1949. She attended Hibbing Junior College, and received her degree in teaching from the College of St. Catherine’s in 1953. She taught Physical Education and English in Pine City, MN. She married the love of her life, Roland Carpenter, in 1953 and they raised 7 wonderful children. Josephine was an avid sports fan and loved to play sports of every kind. She loved fishing and golfing. She worked as a girls high school Volleyball and Basketball referee for many years in MN, and had the honor of refereeing games in the State High School Tournament. As she reached her golden years her interest switched to bowling. Jo was a very competitive bowler and enjoyed playing up to 3 times a week until she was 81 years old. She competed in State and National Tournaments, and won in the single and double categories. She also loved to play games with family and friends, especially Bingo, cards, dominoes, and board games. There was always an opportunity for some type of a wager during these games. Jo enjoyed creating her own fun and dressing up for an occasion – in costume of course. She loved the internet and was known for keeping family and friends entertained by the many jokes she would forward on a daily basis. She always had her eye on the weather radar across the country and we were always guaranteed a call from her when there was a hint of bad weather in our area! She lived a full and wonderful life and we miss her dearly. She is preceded in death by her husband, Roland, son Allen, grandson Michael Tumini, son-in-law John Barnum, parents Joseph & Anna Vitali, 2 infant siblings, brothers & sisters: Righetta Pagliacetti, Alexander Vitali, Dominica (Kotonias) Vercellino, Attilia Maturi, Mary Bachnik, Catherine Chiodi, Elvira Hooper, Rudolph Vitali, and Julio Vitali. Survived by loving children: Therese (Gary) Dumer of Union Grove, AL, Margaret Barnum of Falcon Heights, MN Jeffrey (Shawn) Carpenter of Cottage Grove, MN, Caroline (James) Tumini of Crystal, MN, Lisa (Jackie) Russell of Chattanooga, TN, and Roland II of Summerville, GA; 18 Grandchildren & 16 Great-Grandchildren; Sisters Zelinda Hendrickson of CA, and Anita Vovk of MN; and dearly missed by many nieces and nephews, family and friends. Special thanks to nephew, Lewis Carpenter, and the many neighbors and friends in Florida for their assistance in helping care for our Mother so she could remain in her home over these past years. Her Florida friends were like her second family. Mass of Christian Burial 10 AM Tuesday, 7/14/15 at Corpus Christi Catholic Church, 2131 Fairview Avenue N., Roseville, MN with visitation one hour prior at the church. Private Interment at Fort Snelling National Cemetery. Memorials may be made to the donor’s choice. New Port Richey, FL 727-847-3999