July 2, 1945 — Oct. 15, 2024
Carole Ann Holmes was born July 2, 1945 at Greene County Hospital in Jefferson, Iowa. She was the daughter of William John and Helen Louise (Miller) Booth. She spent her childhood in the Bagley, Greenbriar township and Jefferson areas. Carole was raised on a farm in Greene County. She received most of her education at the Bagley school, and completed the last two years at Jefferson High School, where she graduated as a member of the National Honor Society in 1963.
Carole went on to further her education at the Commercial Education School of Commerce in Omaha, NE. Carole was then employed at First Federal Savings & Loan Association of Lincoln in Omaha. While attending classes in Omaha, she met Duane McClellan, and they were married in March of 1965. They had two children, daughter Billie Joann and son Mark Douglas. Carole worked at Northwestern Bell Telephone Co. in Omaha prior to starting a family, but then spent 8 years as a stay-at-home mom…raising her children, babysitting others, serving on committees, and doing volunteer office work for Faith Westwood United Methodist Church in Millard, NE. After her children were older, she returned to work at Buesing, Schleisman & Associates, a CPA firm in Omaha. After moving to Guthrie Center, Iowa she worked with Duane at their auto parts store, as well as in a local flower shop, at the First United Methodist Church, at Guthrie County Hospital in medical records, for the Anneur Insurance office in Panora (where she got her insurance license), and at The Port restaurant. She also enjoyed acting with the Lennon Mill Players Community Theater. Carole and her husband divorced in 1985.
In 1987 Carole married Scott G. Holmes, and together they bought a home
at Lake Panorama. In 1989 they moved to Arnolds Park, IA, where Scott was a pastor at Calvary United Methodist Church. During her time in the Lakes area, Carole enjoyed working at many places: A Thousand Baskets home decor store, Kris Walker Insurance, Iowa Great Lakes Chamber of Commerce, and most of all at Courtyard Gardens with her daughter, Billie. In 1997, Scott and Carole purchased a home on Center Lake, where they enjoyed the lake life. From 2006-2014 they also spent time at their winter home in Sun City, AZ. However, in 2015 Carole had major surgery, which precluded travel to Arizona, so from then on they stayed close to home. Carole enjoyed arts & crafts and playing card games. She loved her lake home, dancing, music, learning through reading, having spirited debates, and especially loved spending time with her friends and family…especially her grandchildren. Carole is survived by her husband, Scott Holmes; her children, Billie McClellan of Spirit Lake, IA and Mark McClellan (Betsy) of Pleasanton, CA and their children Maggie & Kate; and her step children, Sara Holmes of Guthrie Center, IA and Jeff Holmes of Indianola, IA and his children Tyler & Riley.
Carole passed away in Jefferson, IA on October 15, 2024.