Edna Lucille Carroll

Edna Lucille Carroll, 94, of Fowler, CO died Saturday, August 31, 2024 at Fowler Health Care Center.

Edna was born on January 19, 1930 in Bremer County, Iowa, the daughter of Carl C. and Hallie (Huffman) Smith. She attended school in Nashua, Iowa, graduating in 1948. She married William Thomas Carroll on June 3, 1949 at the famous Little Brown Church in the Vale in Nashua, Iowa.

Edna is survived by her children, Wilma (Robert) Payne of Pueblo CO, Alan Carroll of La Junta CO and Les Carroll of Fowler CO; her grandchildren, Julie (Ben) Nelson and Crystal Golding; and her great-grandchildren, Addison and Jemma Golding.

She was preceded in death by her husband, Bill Carroll, her sister, Viola (Smith) Finnegan and her brother, George (Gayle) Smith.

Teaching was Edna’s passion. She was accepted for Normal Training as a junior in high school and began teaching in rural one-room schools as soon as she graduated. After moving to Minnesota, she could only substitute teach as Iowa’s educational preparation was not sufficient for a full-time position. Later, when her children were older, she was finally able to return to complete her schooling and made the daily drive to Alamosa, CO from Questa, NM to attend Adams State College. She received her BA and MA degrees in Education there and was able to return to the classroom and the children and work she loved. After settling in Fowler, she continued to teach 3rd grade for nearly 20 years.

She enjoyed arts and crafts, knitting and sewing clothing for her family. She followed in her mother’s and sister’s footsteps and made many lovely quilts, continuing to piece and quilt by hand as she aged. She also loved history and genealogy. Edna researched and wrote stories and books to share her experiences and her family’s history with others. She enjoyed tending her lawn and flowers and even won a prize for her lovely yard once. After retirement, she also stayed busy volunteering at the Fowler Museum.

Memorial service will be Sunday, September 15, 2024 at 2:00 p.m. at the First Baptist Church in Fowler with Pastor Duane Kincade officiating.

In lieu of flowers memorial donations can be made in Edna’s name to The Fowler Historical Society at https://www.fowlercomuseum.org/

Online condolences may be made at www.PeacockFH.com. Peacock-Larsen Funeral Home & Arkansas Valley Crematory is in charge of arrangements.