Carole Lynch
Mary “Carole” Lynch, 91, of Barnum, Iowa, died on July 30, 2025, in Des Moines. She was the daughter of Florence and Carl Donahoe. A woman of deep faith and tireless hands, Carole's life was a testament to love, hard work, and the simple joys of a life well-lived.
Born in Clare, Iowa, Carole grew up working in her parents' family grocery store, where she learned the value of a good day's work. In 1957, she married Gene Lynch, and together they spent the next 67 years tending their farm. While Gene handled the fields, Carole was the heart of the home, a true farm wife in every sense.
Carole was an extraordinary cook whose specialties were her legendary sticky rolls, cinnamon rolls, and a pie for every occasion. Her favorite, of course, was apple pie, made from the trees that grew in abundance on their land. She spent her summers canning the bounty from their garden and fruit trees. Her kitchen was always open, and she found comfort in preparing a meal for her family and friends.
Though she was most at home in her kitchen, Carole was a quiet adventurer with a genuine appreciation for the wider world. Carole traveled with Gene, her children, and grandchildren beyond Iowa's fields to places like Rome, Ireland, across Europe, Russia, and China, where she embraced new cultures with curiosity and warmth.
Carole’s pride and joy were her loving family. She is survived by her three children and 11 grandchildren: Denise (David) McNitt in Council Bluffs; their children are Sean (Hayley) of Forest Lake, MN; and Brennan (Amanda) of Omaha, NE; Mark (Janine) Lynch in Barnum; their children are Nichole (Daren) Mairs, Lakewood, CO; and Andrea (Matt) Zuckerman, Elmhurst, IL; and Karen (Jeff) Pierick in Des Moines; their children are Matt (Meredith), West Des Moines, Tom (Sarah), Des Moines, Rachel (Tom) Seraphin, St. Charles, IL, Kathryn, Minneapolis, MN, Michael, Des Moines, Maddy (Johnny), Des Moines, and Danny, Des Moines. She also leaves behind 14 great-grandchildren.
She was preceded in death by her parents, Carl and Florence; her husband, Gene; infant daughter, Joan; her brother, Bill Donahoe; and her sister, Anne (Max) Powers.
Carole was a pillar of the Catholic church in Barnum before it closed, always the first to offer help with a funeral lunch and serve coffee with her famous rolls. She will be remembered for her kind heart, humble spirit, and always having room at her table.
A visitation will be held at Holy Trinity Catholic Church in Fort Dodge on Saturday, August 16, from 9 to 11 a.m. with the Rosary at 11 a.m. The funeral Mass will begin at 11:30 a.m., followed by a luncheon at the Corpus Christi Center in Fort Dodge and burial at St. Joseph Cemetery, Barnum. Powers Funeral Home of Pocahontas, Iowa, is handling the arrangements.