Carrie M. Hemmer, a longtime resident of Princeton, died in a hospice facility in Las Vegas, Nev., on May 21, 2011 at the age of 90.

Her daughter and son-in-law, Sharon and William Ruotola of Las Vegas, daughter Shelley Coscina of Kailua, Hawaii, grandson Curt Ruotola of Kailua and granddaughter Amy Ruotola-Behrendt of Studio City, Calif., were at her bedside.

She is survived additionally by brother and sister-in-law Dean and Helen Williams of Bismarck, Mo.; sister-in-law Louise Hemmer Hill of Houston, Texas; son and daughter-in-law Dr. Stephen and Marian Hemmer of Elberfeld; granddaughters Koke’e and Gina Coscina, Marie Hemmer; great- grandchildren Cory and Will Ruotola, True and Mighty Behrendt; numerous nieces and nephews, extended family and friends.

Family, which includes most lifetime friends, were her heart.

She was preceded in death by her husband of 56 years, Albert; her parents, Paul and Bessie Williams; sister Pauline Repp; and brothers Jesse, Thomas, Paul and Byron Williams.

Carrie was born in Iron Mountain, Mo., and raised in that area. She and her husband Albert met and married in St. Louis, Mo., in 1942. They retired to Princeton in 1970 after spending 29 years globetrotting in the U.S. Air Force. The family lived from Paris, France, to Honolulu, Hawaii, and many places in between. Carrie made 17 homes for the family, taking great pleasure in decorating, sewing and antiquing. She enjoyed travel, bridge, music, reading, cooking and entertaining.

Carrie and Al were active members of the Gibson County Art Guild and ran a small framing business. She also quilted throws for St. Jude’s Children’s Hospital in Memphis, Tenn.

Carrie moved to Las Vegas with her daughter in November 2007, after suffering a debilitating stroke that June. She  had another stroke the following year. Through it all, she worked tirelessly in speech, occupational and physical therapy to regain her strength and improve her quality of life. She made an impression on everyone she met. She was a classy, complicated, independent, noble, saucy lady.

Memorial services will take place at Walnut Hill Cemetery, R.R. 1, Fort Branch, on Saturday, June 18, 2011 at 9:30 a.m. Open house luncheon follows from 11:30 a.m. to 2:30 p.m. at the home of family friends Rick and Roxann Coleman, 430 S. Hall St., Princeton. Friends and family are invited.

(Local arrangement by Colvin Funeral Home)