CAROL JEAN WILEY

Funeral services will be 11:00 a.m. on Wednesday, December 29, 2021 at the United Methodist Church in Gowrie, with Pastor Susan Rohden officiating. Burial will be held at Gowrie Township Cemetery. Visitation with the family will be 4:00 to 7:00 p.m. Tuesday, Dec. 28, at Palmer Funeral Home, Gowrie.

Carol Jean Ross was born March 26, 1934, in Fort Dodge, Iowa, the daughter of Iven and Alice (Allbee) Ross. She graduated from Somers Consolidated School in 1952 and then earned a 2-year degree at Iowa State Teachers College in Cedar Falls.

She began her teaching career with 2nd grade at Mallard Consolidated School from 1954-1956. Wanting to continue her education, she enrolled at the University of Iowa in Iowa City (1956-1958) and earned a BA Degree. Upon graduation, she taught 3rd grade at Cleveland School on the west side of Cedar Rapids (1958-1962).

Carol met W. James (Jim) Wiley at a bachelor-teacher dance on Valentine’s Day, they were engaged in March, and were married on August 7, 1960. In 1964, the couple established their home on a farm near Gowrie. Carol was an instrumental partner to Jim in their farm life. Carol substitute taught at Prairie Community Schools before she stayed home to raise their two sons, Bill and Bob. Both Carol and Jim became involved in many community activities in Gowrie. Carol enjoyed teaching Sunday school and Bible school at the Methodist Church, golfing at the local golf course, and participating in Eastern Star. Giving of herself, she volunteered at Trinity Regional Medical Center in Fort Dodge and was a care reader and greeter at Friendship Haven.

Carol enjoyed learning and was an avid artist of drawing and painting. She enjoyed art experiences – museums, art expositions, plays, musicals — traveling world-wide to Europe, Ireland, England, Israel, and other countries. She enjoyed meeting people and connecting them with stories. She had an unmatched depth of community connections and knew who were related to whom. She was an avid reader, sharing her good books with others. She saw the good in others and was kind, generous, loving, and offered a kindship warmth to many.

Her survivors will hold Carol within their hearts – sons, William E. (Mary Anne) Wiley of Blue Springs, Missouri and Robert A. (Ann) Wiley of Johnston, Iowa; grandchildren, Ross Wiley, Elissa (Matt) Barr, Shane Wiley, and David Wiley; cousin Corrine (Ron) Scott, sister-in-law Gladys Dyal; and several nieces, nephews and a host of friends. She was preceded in death by her husband, W. James (Jim) Wiley; infant son Thomas; her parents; sister Doris (Ross) Moeller; and many dear in-laws.

Memorials may be left to the United Methodist Church of Gowrie.