Bambie Lou Carpenter

A very caring, family nurturer, who always had an open door and was always there for friends and family are just a few ways to describe Bambie Carpenter.

A few historical events of 1957 include fuel prices were twenty-four cents, the average cost of a home was $2,330.00, American Bandstand debuted on ABC, and on February 24, 1957, Billy G. and Bonnie J. (Hare) Nordman welcomed the birth of Bambie Lou Nordman, in Wabash, IN.

Bambie's sister Penny watched her and her brother a lot as kids and was able to share camping, NASCAR, shopping, beach sitting and tiki bars, along with dancing, which she loved. As a young girl, she enjoyed horse statues, paper dolls, and playing her 45 records. As a teen she enjoyed camping, NASCAR races in Michigan, and a never ending love of dogs, especially beagles.

Bambie attended local schools and graduated from Columbia City Joint High School with the Class of 1975. She worked from her home in child care for 28 years. On August 22, 1997 Bambie married Rex Leroy Carpenter.
She always kept the family together and in touch with both sides of aunts, uncles, and cousins.

Bambie's home at Christmas was the place to be. She decorated for all the holidays and Halloween was special. On a trip to Colorado with her father and son, Bambie was terrified to learn that the chemicals in the hotel pool turned her hair green. She then made her son cut her hair before anyone saw it.

She always put the happiness of others ahead of her own and was her family center, being a caretaker for them as well as many others. Bambie was always there for her sister spending time with her in Florida. She had lots of fun and was always willing to try new things. She cared and loved all of the children she watched and played with them frequently. It's wonderful when those kids grow up and come back to see her. She worried a lot about what people thought of her, but much to her surprise they all thought the world of her.

Bambie made her home a beautiful place. She most recently enjoyed vacationing in her backyard paradise that included a hot tub, palms, and lights, in addition to making wood crafts, collecting antiques, spending time with the kids, soap operas, and watching Wheel of Fortune.

She will forever be remembered in the hearts of those who knew and loved her.

Bambie Lou Carpenter, age 61, of Columbia City, IN passed away at 6:08 am on Saturday August 11, 2018 at I.U. Health University Hospital, Indianapolis

Survivors include her husband Rex Carpenter of Columbia City; children Dustin (Kristi) Shepherd of Columbia City and Carmen West (Adam)Peppler of Bristol, IN; grandchildren Braden Shepherd and Laine Peppler; siblings Penny (Jim) Burt of Tarpon Springs, FL and Jay (Julie) Nordman of Columbia City; step-father Larry Jones of Columbia City; nephews Adam Kessie and "JJ" Nordman; nieces Cassy King and Amanda Nordman.
She was preceded in death by her parents Bill Nordman and Bonnie Jones and late husband Terry West.

Friends may call on Tuesday August 14, 2018 from 2-4 & 6-8 pm at DeMoney-Grimes, a Life Story Funeral Home, 600 Countryside Drive, Columbia City. Funeral services for Bambie will be held at 11:00 am on Wednesday August 15, 2018 at the funeral home, with calling one hour prior. Burial will follow in Nolt Cemetery, Columbia City. Memorial contributions in memory of Bambie may be made to her grandchildren's education fund C/O Rex Carpenter. Visit www.demoneygrimes.com to send the family an online condolence.