Carlotta Ann Wilde, daughter of George Willard Henning and Beatrice Minnehan Henning, was born July 24, 1953, at St. Anthony Hospital in Carroll, and died Sunday, Jan. 14, 2024, at the age of 70.
Carlotta grew up on her parents’ farm near Cooper and graduated in 1971 from Jefferson Community High School in Jefferson. Following graduation, as she puts it, she ran off to be a hippie. She lived in Arizona for a time where she met Thomas John Wilde. They were married on April 1, 1973, at her parents’ farm.
She and Tom lived in Arizona, Colorado, Jefferson, and for a season, they lived in Canada. Together they had two children, Rose and Seth.
Throughout her life, she worked as a nurses’ aid in Arizona and Jefferson. For a time, she worked at American Athletic in Jefferson. In 1983, she began her career at the Greene County Sheltered Workshop, which later became Genesis Development. She had a very fulfilling 37-year career with Genesis Development, working with individuals with disabilities, retiring in 2020.
Carlotta was a member of the Central Iowa Blues Society and a great supporter of Reiman Gardens. She greatly enjoyed flower gardening and plants, as evidenced by the beautiful perennial gardens surrounding her home. Carlotta created beautiful stained glass, blessing many family members and friends with those pieces of art. Especially in her retirement, she traveled with her children and grandchildren and enjoyed attending concerts of various Blues artists throughout Iowa and the United States.
Above all else, her children and grandchildren were what made her most proud.
To be loved by Carlotta was to have been given the greatest gift. She was the most supportive mother, grandmother, and friend to many. She never judged a soul, understanding that life throws curveballs, and you can endure with the love of those around you.
Carlotta was preceded in death by her parents and youngest sister Amy Clifton.
She is survived and lovingly remembered by her children Rose Wilde of Batesville, IN, and Seth Wilde of Austin, TX. She was the proud grandmother of four grandchildren: Ethan Lacey, Kenzi Lacey, Audrey Wilde, and River Wilde.
She is also survived by her sisters Christina Henning, Claudia Henning, Anita (Patrick) Tigue, and Ethyl (Keith) St. Peter; numerous nieces and nephews; her French bulldog Petey; her companion Jack Adams; and so, so many wonderfully talented, hilarious, and supportive girlfriends.
A Celebration of Life will be held at a later date in the Spring of 2024 when the flowers are blooming at the Elks Lodge in Jefferson.
Contributions in honor of Carlotta may be given to Central Iowa Blues Society or Reiman Gardens in Ames.
