Carol Jean Bottom

Carol Bottom, 70, of Marshalltown, Iowa, passed away on March 4, 2021, at the Iowa River Hospice Home. The family would like to extend their thanks for the incredible care provided by Iowa River Hospice, Mary Greeley Medical, and the Embers staff. Cremation rites have been accorded and a public visitation for Carol will be held on Sunday, March 7, 2021 from 5:00 p.m. until 7:00 p.m. at the Mitchell Family Funeral Home in Marshalltown. For more information or to send a condolence, please visit www.mitchellfh.com or call 641-844-1234. Mitchell Family Funeral Home is caring for Carol and her family. We ask all guests to please wear a mask for the safety and health of the family and other visitors. Carol Jean Bottom was born on May 27, 1950, to John and Francis June (Grisier) Bottom in Phillipsburg, Kansas. Carol graduated from high school in Ransom, Kansas. From there, Carol began a lifelong journey into education and showing her love to those around her. Carol earned her BA from the University of Kansas where she became a rabid Jayhawk fan, a loyalty she maintained throughout her life. Later she attended Fort Hays State University, graduating with an MS in clinical psychology and school psychology. She later went on to earn an Educational Specialist degree from Drake University. In 1978 Carol moved to Marshalltown where she was employed as a school psychologist by AEA 6 until her retirement.  Throughout her career, Carol was a champion for students with special needs. She had a particular love for preschool children. Carol was a life-long learner and always focused on best educational practice. Carol was a skillful teacher of adults and designed and delivered professional development to colleagues across the state. Carol’s friends were well aware of how much she loved babies and wanted to be a mom. They all shared her joy when her wish was granted after much effort and a long wait, and Lauren arrived from the International Mission of Hope in Calcutta, India. Lauren was born there on June 19, 1987 and arrived in Des Moines on November 9th of that year – almost tiny enough to be a 3-month-old, and cuter than can be described. For years, both Lauren’s birthday and “Gotcha Day” were celebrated with equal joy. Carol helped Lauren learn all she could about her native country, and they attended Culture Camp for families with Indian children every summer for years. She supported Lauren’s activities in sports, school, and hobbies. They enjoyed traveling together on summer road trips, visits to family in Kansas, and loved watching Jayhawk basketball. Lauren credits her mom for her love of cooking and working with and teaching children. She knows how much she was loved, and Carol often told her that having her for a daughter was the best decision she ever made, emphasizing that even more in the last weeks of her life.  Carol is survived by her daughter, Lauren Bottom; mother, Francis June Bottom; aunt, Jean Grisier; nephew Matthew Arnhold; great-nephew, Strantyn Arnhold; and great-niece Jordan Bottom.  Carol is preceded in death by her father, John Bottom; uncle, Ralph Bottom;brother, Robert Bottom; sister, Marnie Arnhold; and nephew, Lance Bottom. In lieu of flowers memorials may be directed to the family or to Child Abuse Prevention Services, 306 S. 17th Avenue, Marshalltown, IA 50158, www.capsonline.us