Mrs. Carol Jean Kallesen, age 87, of Audubon, IA, passed away on Wednesday, August 21, 2024, at the Friendship Home in Audubon, IA.
Carol Jean Kallesen, daughter of Maurice Nelsen and Georgia Timmons Nelsen, was born February 28, 1937, at her parents’ home in Audubon County. She was baptized and confirmed at the Methodist Church in Audubon. Carol attended rural school, Leroy #3, and graduated from Audubon High School with the class of 1955. She attended Northwest Missouri State College in Maryville, MO, where she obtained her teaching degree. She retired in 2000 after teaching in the Audubon Public School District for 42 years.
She loved her job immensely and said it was very fulfilling. Carol married Emmert Kallesen (Junior) on December 27, 1958, at the Methodist Church in Audubon. Two children were born to this union. Joni and Renee.
Junior was a barber in Audubon his whole life. Junior died on November 30, 1994. Carol loved playing cards and belonged to many card groups. She was also a member of the National Education Association, Iowa State Education Association, Audubon Federated Women, Audubon Hospital Auxiliary, Audubon Retired Teachers, and ICare Club. She was a lifelong member of the Methodist Church in Audubon.
Carol enjoyed a very full and active life. She loved to travel and had been to 49 states. She was an avid Elvis fan and collected many mementos of him. Carol enjoyed spending time with her family and adored her three grandchildren, Mariah, Gunnar, and Madison.
Survivors include her daughters, Joni Kallesen and her husband Mitch Porter of Minneapolis, Minnesota, and Renee Kallesen of Broomfield, Colorado; Grandchildren Mariah Detweiller and her husband Chad; Gunnar Throngren and his wife Emily; and Madison Porter and her boyfriend Andrew.
Funeral service will be held at 2:00 p.m., on Saturday, August 24, 2024, at First United Methodist Church in Audubon, IA, with Pastor Carla Evers officiating. Interment will be at Maple Grove Cemetery following the funeral. A luncheon will occur following the committal in the First Methodist Church fellowship hall in Audubon.
Visitation with the family will be held one hour before the funeral also on Saturday at the church.
Memorials may be directed to the Frendship Home in memory of Caroll, they may be mailed to the Schmidt Family Funeral Home P.O. Box 201, Audubon, IA 50025.
Funeral arrangements are pending with the Schmidt Family Funeral Home of Audubon, IA.
