Funeral mass will be 10:30 a.m., Monday, May 6, 2013 at Our Lady of Good Counsel Catholic Church in Fonda. Burial will be in Mount Zion Cemetery in Fonda. Visitation will be from 4-7:00 p.m., Sunday, May 5, 2013 at Our Lady of Good Counsel Catholic Church in Fonda, with a parish vigil service at 7:00 p.m. The Mahaney Funeral Home in Fonda is in charge of the arrangements.

Mary Carol Kirby was born October 26, 1936 in Storm Lake, Iowa, the daughter of Burton and Agnes (Doyle) Kirby. She graduated from OLGC School in Fonda in 1955. Following graduation, she worked at Bell Telephone Company in Storm Lake.

On September 15, 1956, Carol was united in marriage to Rex Hess at Our Lady of Good Counsel Catholic Church in Fonda. This union was blessed with six children: Kim, Tim, Dan, Denny, Brenda and Julie. They made their home east of Fonda.

For several years, Carol worked at the Fonda Nursing Home as a cook. Later, she worked many years at the Women Shop and Osweiler’s in Storm Lake. She loved her job at the clothing store. Not only did she love clothes but she had a real eye for fashion. Carol was a homemaker, who enjoyed cooking and baking, especially her crescent rolls, which her grandchildren looked forward to every holiday. She took great pride in maintaining a clean and orderly home. Additionally, she was proud to have created a warm and inviting atmosphere in her home where many memories were made over the years.

Carol enjoyed gardening, working in her yard, puzzle books, shopping with her daughters, and going to her grandchildren’s events. She was an active member of Our Lady of Good Counsel Catholic Church in Fonda, where she was a member of the Holy Family Society and Catholic Daughters of America.

Carol was preceded in death by her parents, Burton and Agnes Kirby; her husband, Rex Hess; and her sister, Betty Wells.

Left to cherish her memory include her children: Kim (Dave) Juilfs of Fonda; Tim (Judy) Hess of Fonda; Dan (Susan) Hess of Fonda; Denny (Kristy) Hess of Fonda; Brenda (Roger) Gerdes of Fonda; and Julie (Dennis) Degner of Lytton; 17 grandchildren; two great grandchildren; sister-in-law, Inez Hess of Storm Lake; and many nieces, nephews, extended family and friends.