Carol Spencer Etter, 93, died Aug. 17, 2026, surrounded by family.

Carol was born Feb. 28, 1933, in Flagstaff (Mercy Hospital) to Theodore and Grace Spencer. She spent her childhood growing up in Flagstaff and Oak Creek Canyon. Her parents owned a cabin on the land that is now Encinoso Picnic Site. Some of the orchard trees still exist.

Carol got engaged her junior year in high school to Donald “Kent” Etter, who was serving in the U.S. Air Force. On October 17, 1952, they were the first couple to get married at the Wayside Chapel in Sedona on Kent’s first leave after her graduation from Flagstaff High School. They moved to Fort Worth, TX where he was stationed. They had their first four children in TX before moving back to Flagstaff, AZ in 1958, where their youngest was born.

In addition to raising their five children, Carol worked alongside Kent in the operation and ownership of Etter Professional Cleaning for 32 years, until they retired in 1990. They enjoyed retirement, taking trips, backpacking, camping, spending time with family, being active in church, and living between their Black Canyon City home and their cabin at the base of the San Francisco Peaks. A few years after Kent passed, Carol was a resident at Sedona Winds from 2016 until her death.

Carol is survived by her children, son Eddie (Janice) Etter; daughters Kathleen (Gary) Austin, Bernita (Ray) Law, Lavon (Ralph) Van Dusen, Cindy (Steve) Moore; nine grandchildren; eight great-grandchildren; and sister Teddy (Mike) Scott.

She was preceded in death by her parents; her husband of 56 years; sisters Phyllis Widman and Ruth Ann Gordon; brother Franklin Spencer; and a grandson.

The family will be holding a private gathering. In lieu of flowers, the family suggests donations to FaithWorks, P.O. Box 2757, Flagstaff, AZ 86003-2757.