Carol Arlene Lee

Carol Arlene Lee, the daughter of Vernon and Lena Overocker, was born on September 1, 1920 on the family farm in Milford, Iowa.  She was raised in Milford and attended country school in Dickinson county and went on to graduate from Milford High School in 1938.  She then attended business school in Des Moines, Iowa where she studied secretarial courses.  She especially loved shorthand. 

     On August 18, 1939 Carol married Howard G. Lee, formerly from Adel, Iowa.  They were married in Okabena, MN and then resided in Fostoria where Howard was a Milwaukee Railroad agent.  In 1942 they welcomed their first child, a son, Curtis Howard and then in 1945, their daughter, Linda Carol.  The family moved to Webb, Iowa in 1945 where Howard was a depot agent.  The family resided above the depot for a few years where Carol helped with duties when Howard was away working at other depots.  One memory Carol spoke of often was when she had to stand “way too close” to the moving trains while handing off messages attached to a pole to the engineers.

     Howard and Carol raised their family in Webb.  She made almost all of Linda’s clothing through high school and was known for her beautiful seamstress abilities.  Carol was very involved in her children’s school lives and never missed an activity.  She loved to drive her children and their friends to the swimming pool, roller skating rink, basketball and baseball games, music contests, speech contests, and more.  She loved the small community of Webb along with everything it had to offer her family.  Carol loved and was a member of the Trinity United Methodist Church where she was very active by singing in the choir, teaching Sunday school, serving as the Sunday school superintendent, attending ladies circle, and she especially loved making items for and attending the annual church auction.

     During the years when her children were in school, Carol focused on being a wife and mother.  She filled in as a temporary secretary at the school and at the bank.  After Linda graduated from high school, Carol began a 19 year career with Simonsen Ironworks in Sioux Rapids where she retired as Office Manager. 

     After retiring, Carol and Howard took many trips and tours, visited out of state family members, and eventually purchased a second home in Tucson, Arizona where they spent their winters for many years.  During her retirement Carol continued to sew, enjoyed making ceramics, and played Bridge, Bridge, and more Bridge.

     In the fall of 1998, Carol and Howard moved to The Highlands in Spencer where Carol lived until January 2019.  At that time she moved to Ankeny, Iowa to be closer to her daughter and  her family.   

      Carol was a gracious host.  You would many times find her hosting dinner, coffee, and bridge club.  Her children and their friends were in and out of the house at all times.

     Carol’s life revolved around her family and she enjoyed time spent with them.  She was very fortunate to have her parents and two of her siblings and their children live within a short distance.  Carol also spent much time in her car driving to and from her daughter’s home where she loved to be a part of family holidays and attend her grandchildren’s special events.  She cherished traveling to the homes of, as well as visits from family members who lived far away such as her son, Curtis and her sister, Luicille.  Carol’s grandchildren looked forward to spending a week with her and Howard every summer and made many memories during their special times.

     Carol passed away peacefully at the Taylor Hospice House in Des Moines.  The family would like to express their gratitude to the wonderful care she received there, making her final week as comfortable as possible.  Carol was preceded in death by her parents; her daughter-in-law, Bertha Lee; her husband, Howard; her sister and brother-in-law, Lucille and Bill Middlteon; and her sisters-in-law, Bonnie and Joyce Overocker.

     Left to cherish her memory are: her son, Curtis (Lisa) Lee, of Cedar City, Utah; her daughter, Linda (Les) Alexander, of Ankeny; her brother, Roger Overocker, of Spirit Lake; her brother, Lyle Overocker, of Milford; her grandchildren: David Lee, Brett Alexander, Jodi (Tim) Carosone, Michael Lee, Eric Campbell, Keith (Loriann) Campbell,  Jason (Abby) Alexander; 8 great-grandchildren; 9 nieces and 2 nephews; and many other dear friends and family.

     Due to state and federal guidance on gatherings due to the COVID-19 Pandemic, the family will not be having a public memorial service or visitation at this time.  Carol will be laid to rest in a private service with her family at the Garfield Cemetery at Webb.  A Celebration of Life       Service for all of her family and friends will be held at a later date at the Trinity United Methodist Church in Webb. 

      In lieu of flowers, the family respectfully requests memorial funds directed to Linda Alexander or Warner Funeral Home.

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