Dorothy Ineas Carson

Dorothy Ineas Carson, a beloved member of the Buhl community, passed away peacefully on October 13, 2024, at the age of 94. Born on May 27, 1930, in her parents’ home on their family dairy farm north of Shoshone, Dorothy was the sixth of nine daughters. Her early years were spent working closely alongside her father on the dairy farm, where she developed a deep devotion to him and learned the values of hard work and dedication.

After attending Boise Business School, Dorothy began her career at Big Wood Canal Co. It was during this time that she met and married Robert “Howard” Carson on February 14, 1950. The newlyweds started their life together in a small trailer in Boise where they started their family. Soon thereafter they moved to Arco where they purchased their first house on Water Street. She was active in school and community service, volunteered in her children's classrooms, and was instrumental in getting a hospital and swimming pool built.

In 1963, then with their four children, they moved to Buhl, where Howard had grown up. Dorothy was a passionately devoted mother, wife, and homemaker. After moving to Buhl, Howard and Dorothy purchased the Buhl Bargain Center, which comprised his fulltime work and her part-time supporting role until his passing in 1989.

Dorothy believed anything worth doing was worth doing to the best of one’s ability and she lived that example. She promoted knowledge and learning as a source for bettering oneself and supported her children and their children to achieve. She promoted literacy by reading hundreds (or thousands) of children's books to her children, grandchildren, and great grandchildren. She possessed an uncannily great memory, able to recall the names of people she’d met decades ago, and committing to memory literally hundreds of birthdates, anniversaries, favorite cake flavors and the like; she committed these things to memory not as a game, but out of hospitality.

A woman of diverse interests, Dorothy found joy in bowling, fishing, gardening, and canning fruits and vegetables, including her famous pickles—an achievement that earned her a feature in the Times News. She learned to sew from her mother and did so beautifully, including making cheerleader outfits and prom dresses for her daughters. Seldom idle, she spent free moments using her hands to beautify the home, in particular adding embroidery and crochet embellishments, even to pillowcases and dish towels. She loved games, particularly Pinochle, Bridge, and Scrabble, which was her favorite, and she liked to win. She was a steadfast presence at family dinners and kids’ activities, cheering on her loved ones at ball games and milestones alike. Her love for family and home was unmatched, and her care extended to everything she did, from her flourishing garden to her kitchen where she prepared three balanced and beautiful meals very nearly every day. Her fried pheasant feasts, popcorn balls, waffles and buttermilk cake were family favorites.

Dorothy was preceded in death by her husband, Robert “Howard” Carson; her parents, Manuel and Marian Ineas from the Azores Islands of Portugal; and her sisters, Florence Nunes and Naomi Ineas of Sacramento, CA, Clarinda Barney and Lucille Ineas of Shoshone, Marie Meyer and Patty Gabica of Twin Falls, Lillie Warburton of Rupert, and Ellen Martindale of Declo.

“Mom” is survived by her children, Bob Carson (Paula) of Troy, Idaho, Connie Conrad (John) of Fernley, Nevada, Tammy Becker (Daniel) of Twin Falls, and Tom Carson of Nampa. “Granny” to all her grandkids and their spouses, and “Great Granny” to all their children, she had a sweet thing to say about each and every one. She especially cherished how they stayed in touch with many in-person visits, landline, and cell phone chats and texts, emails, cards and letters that she loved to send as much as receive, and Facebook posts and messages.

Dorothy’s lifelong hope for her end of life was to be able to spend her last years in the Buhl home she and Howard bought in 1973. Anyone who knew her knew how grateful she was to her daughter Tammy and son-in-law Daniel for their tireless care in helping to drive her to appointments, card games, and family events as well as care for her personal needs and home. Always the devoted matriarch of the family and filled with gratitude, it is thus not surprising that her final weeks were filled with visits from dozens of friends and family members, both in person and via phone.

Her legacy is one of strength, tenacity, and unwavering love for her family; a unique character who became even sweeter and more gracious with every passing year.

Funeral service will be held at 1:00 pm, Friday, October 18, 2024, at Immaculate Conception Catholic Church, 1701 Poplar Street, Buhl. Burial will conclude at the West End Cemetery, 1574 E Elm Street, Buhl.

Flowers can be ordered from her nephew’s florist shop Capitol City Florist (208) 377-0120 or https://www.ccfboise.com/ or in lieu of flowers, memorial donations may be made in Dorothy’s name to the Buhl Library Children Corner.

Memories and condolences may be shared with the family on Dorothy’s memorial webpage at www.farmerfuneralchapel.com.

To place a floral order after noon on Thursday, October 16, please use the link below: