Carol Plum-Freese

Carol Nadine Plum-Freese, age 91, was born on September 7, 1934, on a farm west of Gilman, Iowa, and passed away Thursday, June 18th, at The Willows of Marshalltown surrounded by loved ones. Carol told her family when she passed away that it would be from worn-out parts and too much old.

Funeral services will be held at 2:00 p.m. Sunday, June 28th, at the Trinity Lutheran Church of Dillon, with Pastor Fred Berry officiating. She will be laid to rest in the Strand Lutheran Cemetery at Dunbar. Visitation will be held on Saturday, June 27th, at the Mitchell Family Funeral Home in Marshalltown from 5-7:00 p.m. Memorials may be made in her honor to the East Marshall Music Department or Trinity Lutheran Church of Dillon.

Carol spent her childhood growing up south of Montour, Iowa, and graduated from Dunbar Consolidated School in 1951. She carried throughout her life the values she learned growing up on the family farm—faith, determination, and a strong sense of community. Her parents, Bert and Eunice (Weitzell) Thornes, instilled those values in her.

On November 3, 1953, Carol married Kenneth Harold Plum. Together they built a life and family and were blessed with four children: Debi K. (Harlan) Helgren, Larry Kenneth Plum, Alice Edna (Bob) Roberts, and Gregory Bert Plum. Their years together were cut tragically short when Kenneth lost his life in a highway accident December 23rd, 1967.

Later, Carol found companionship and happiness in her marriage to Glenn Freese.

Family was the center of Carol's world. She took great pride in her children, eight grandchildren, and ten great-grandchildren, cherishing every opportunity to gather, celebrate, and create lasting memories. She is survived by her children, Debi, Alice, and Greg, her sister, Peggy Keen, as well as many nieces and nephews.

Carol loved the farm life and never lost her appreciation for the land and the people who worked it. She enjoyed sharing coffee and conversation with friends, playing cards, skating, and music. Music was very near and dear to her heart. She shared a musical talent with her mom, Eunice, playing duets and/or singing for countless funerals, church events and services for generations. She also played for the Marshalltown Community Theatre, East Marshall Schools and others. Her warm smile, strong spirit, and genuine interest in others made her a treasured friend and neighbor. Carol had a mischievous side too IYKYK!

In death, she rejoined her parents, her sister Marie, her husbands Kenneth and Glenn, son Larry, and a great-grandson.