Funeral services for Dolores Carroll, 84, of Russell, will be held Friday, January 9, 2025, at 11a.m. at the Pierschbacher Funeral Home in Chariton. Family will receive friends Thursday, January 8th from 4:00 until 7:00 p.m. at the Pierschbacher Funeral Home. Interment will be at the Calvary Catholic Cemetery. Memorials will be designated at a later date to some of Dolores’ many passions.
In 1941 Ed and Mary Ellen O'Donnell welcomed their wild and wonderful redheaded Irish girl child to the world. Dolores graduated from Russell high school and Indian Hills Community College. She married Jim Carroll and together they raised their tribe of 7 on a farm east of Russell.
She taught them about her love of music, reading and nature. She braked for butterflies. She woke them up in the middle of the night to watch meteor showers and the northern lights. The meals that she lovingly cooked, were generally more than slightly overdone. She was a proud democrat who never voted a straight ticket and once registered as a republican for just under 24 hours to be able to support her candidate in a primary election.
She welcomed all of her children's friends to share adventures with the family. Some of her favorite people were her grandchildren. Every summer they went to the Iowa State Fair with Grandma Dee. They camped every day for 10 days and saw all of the sights and attractions. They now continue this tradition with their own children. Dolores worked for many years for the Lucas County Public Health. She was a Girl Scout leader, Boy Scout Leader, CCD and confirmation teacher at her church and volunteered many hours for many years at the Russell Community School when her children were attending there, and in 1982 she was even named Lucas County Mother of the Year.
Dolores will be deeply missed by her husband of 66 years, Jim; seven children: Janet (Denny) Behrhorst, Jim (Tracy) Carroll, Jo Carroll (Richard Dittmer), Jeri (Keith) Bowen, Joyce Carroll, Pat (Jenny) Carroll and Pete (Donna) Carroll; 21 grandchildren: Piper Orman, Haylee (Niles) Mercer, Brandon (Mandy) Carroll, Matthew Carroll, Jacob (Karen) Carroll, Luke Carroll, Jordan Carroll, Devon (Ashley) Carroll, Cody (Pahri) Carroll, TJ Spurgin, Lezlee (Rob) Copeland, April (Shane) Hoffman, Austin Bowen, Lexi (Clayle) Franklin, Ashleigh (Troy) Lande, James (Ailey) Carroll, Carlee (Jason) Luedtke, JJ Carroll, Johnny Carroll, Briaunna Carroll, Addison Carroll; 23 great grandchildren: Nolan, Noria, Nova, Rowdy, Trentin, Finn, Aislin, Sully, Layhla, Avery, Clay, Tyson, Aria, Sutton, Elvia, Knyle, McKinley, Waylon, Elodie, Briar, Luke, Sylar, Keaton and unborn baby Luedtke; and her sister Marilyn (Gary Martin) Cook; Sister-in-law Patti Blubaugh, and should-a-been sister Freda Owens. Many, many, many, many, cousins, nieces and nephews, and people who called her family. Dolores was proceeded in death by: Her parents, in-laws, sister Martha Conway, brother Jim O’Donnell, brother-in-law Mike Carroll, and sister-in-law Elinor Carroll.
