Carol Darlene Holles

Carol D. Holles

Clarion, Iowa

     Carol Darlene Holles, age 89, of Clarion, Iowa and formerly of Sheldon, Iowa, passed away on Thursday, September 5, 2024, at Iowa Specialty Hospital in Belmond, Iowa. Her service will be 11:00 A.M. on Saturday, September 14, 2024, at the Vander Ploeg Funeral Home in Sheldon, Iowa, with Barbara Loots, officiating.

     Burial will be in St. Joseph Catholic Cemetery in Granville, Iowa.

     Visitation with family present will be from 10:00 A.M. until 10:45 A.M. at the Vander Ploeg Funeral Home in Sheldon, Iowa.

In lieu of flowers, memorials can be directed to the discretion of the family.

Arrangements are under the care of the Vander Ploeg Funeral Home in Sheldon.

IN LOVING MEMORY OF 

CAROL HOLLES

BORN

December 10, 1934

Alton, Iowa

PASSED AWAY

September 5, 2024

Belmond, Iowa

FUNERAL SERVICE

11:00 A.M. Saturday, September 14, 2024

Vander Ploeg Funeral Home; Sheldon, Iowa

Barbara Loots ~ Officiating

MUSIC

“Till The Season Comes Around Again” CD by Vince Gill

“When I Get Where I’m Going” CD by Brad Paisly/Dolly Parton

“Amazing Grace” sung by Kaitlyn George

Lullaby Played by Charlie Froke

“Ships Of Heaven” CD by Blackhawk

CASKET BEARERS

Brandon Kooiker                                      Nathan Holles

Travis Froke                                             Jessica Froke 

Taylor Bakker                                         Janessa Kieser 

FINAL RESTING PLACE

Saint Joseph Catholic Cemetery

Granville, Iowa

Family and friends are invited to a luncheon following the 

graveside service. The luncheon will be held at the 

Granville Community Center, adjacent to the Fire Station, 

In lieu of flowers, memorial can be directed to:

The discretion of the family.

Arrangements are under the care of the 

Vander Ploeg Funeral Home; Sheldon, Iowa

     Carol Darlene Holles was born in Alton, Iowa, December 10, 1934, to Gerald (Jelly) and Edna (Kokenge) McCarthy. For most of her childhood, she lived in Alton and attended Saint Mary’s Academy Catholic School, graduating in 1953. After high school, she attended business school in Sioux City and worked in a doctors’ office there until 1955. On August 16, 1955, Carol married Robert (Bob) Holles at Saint Joseph Catholic Church in Granville. The young family made their home in Des Moines, Red Oak, and Granville, before finally settling in Sheldon in 1967. During their early family life, Carol was a homemaker and stay-at-home mother. She raised five children, was a Den Mother, and an active member of Saint Patrick’s Church. Once the children were school-aged, she started working in local businesses. In the 1980s Carol was the manager of the Pizza Emporium. She later worked in the Food Service Department at the Sheldon hospital. Carol enjoyed being a grandmother and loved following the children’s school, sporting, and musical activities. She shared in their joys, accomplishment, and disappointments. She loved traveling for graduations, weddings, and family events. She was especially happy to welcome new great-grandchildren into the family. She loved listening to them read and sing, and loved giving and receiving hugs. 

     Carol and Bob were fortunate to be able to travel in their retirement years. They vacationed in Canada, Washington, DC, and the South, where they visited Graceland and Civil War Sites. They loved entertaining at their home. Bob passed away October 30, 2004, after forty-nine years of marriage. Following Bob’s death, Carol downsized, and eventually moved to Sioux City. After the loss of her two sons, Keith and Steven, Carol moved to Clarion, Iowa, to be closer to daughters. Carol passed away on September 5, 2024, at Iowa Specialty Hospital in Belmond, Iowa, reaching the age of 89 years, 9 months and 26 days.

     In her final years, Carol maintained her independent living apartment and enjoyed reading and watching Iowa basketball player, Caitlyn Clark. Carol loved visits from her family and was surrounded by family in her final weeks. She will be remembered for her caring nature and yummy banana bread.

     Left to cherish memories are her three daughters, Susan (Jon) Bakker of Dows, Iowa; Barbara (Mark) Loots, of Fort Dodge, Iowa; Kathy George of Ames, Iowa; daughter-in-law, Joan Holles of Worthington, MN; eight grandchildren, Jessica (Travis) Froke; Brandon Kooiker; Taylor Bakker; Alex (Jake) Stodden; Caleb Bakker; Nathan Holles; Janessa (Kyle) Kieser; Kaitlyn George; and six great-grandchildren, Charlie; Natalie; Tenzyn; Bella; Ava; and Sawyer. Survivors also include siblings and in-laws, Gerald D (Cele) McCarthy; James (Reina) McCarthy; brother-in-law, Paul Reimer; sister-in-law, Tim/Nit McCarthy; Mary (Jerel) Schomer; Michael (Rizalina) McCarthy; and Bradley McCarthy.

     Carol was preceded in death by her parents; her husband; her sons, Keith Holles and Steven Holles; sister-in-law, Mary Ann McCarthy; sisters, Kathleen Kay Reimer and Patricia Martin; brother-in-law, Perry Michael Martin; and brother, Terrence McCarthy. Also preceded by her dog, Snowflake.