Carolyn Ann Burrell

Carolyn Ann Burrell, daughter of Charles “Chig”  Woods and Maxine  Baker Woods, was born Nov. 22, 1940, in Clarke County, and passed from this life Thursday, May 23, 2019, at Southern Hills Specialty Care at 78 years of age.

Ann has been a lifetime resident of Clarke County, where she received her education and graduated from Osceola High School in 1959.

She was united in marriage to Merrill Burrell on July 30, 1961, in Osceola, and two children, Mike and Lori, blessed this union.

Ann began her working career at Bankers Life in Des Moines soon after her graduation from high school. She also worked at Snowdon’s and Furnas Electric until it closed. Ann then began working at Principal Financial, remaining there until her retirement in 2002, at which time she began substituting part-time at Clarke Community Schools.

After their retirement, Merrill and Ann enjoyed many winters together in Texas. She enjoyed playing cards, camping with her family and friends and also loved camping at the Iowa State Fair, a tradition that began in 1973. She was a member of Beta Sigma Phi Sorority, Red Hat Society, CARSPA, Osceola Eagles Lodge Aerie No. 3495 and Osceola Eagles Lodge Auxiliary.

Those relatives who preceded Ann in death were her parents, Charles “Chig” and Maxine; husband Merrill Burrell; brothers, Ron Woods and Charles Woods; brothers-in-law, Carl Burrell and Wayne Reynolds; sister-in-law Joan Burrell and special friends, Juanita McWilliams, Ronald Henry and Guy Rinner.

Ann leaves to cherish her memory, her son Mike (Patty) Burrell of Des Moines; daughter Lori (Dale) Helgevold of Osceola; grandchildren, Heather (Shane) Agan of Des Moines, Devon (Rachel) Burrell of Olathe, Kansas, Chantelle (Ryan) Stotts of Des Moines and Damon, LeeAnn and Landi Helgevold, all of Osceola; great-grandchildren, Lennon Agan, Jude Agan and Andie Burrell; sisters-in-law, Lucille Reynolds of Osceola, Donna (John) Carson of Osceola, Patty Woods of Osceola and Peggy Woods of Osceola; special friends, Dick McWilliams of Osceola, Dixie Rinner of Osceola and Bev Henry of Woodburn; as well as other relatives and many friends.

Services will be 2 p.m. Tuesday, May 28, at Kale Funeral Home, 301 S. Main St., in Osceola with Pastor Amy Johnson officiating. Visitation will open after noon Monday, May 27, and family will greet friends from 6:30 to 8:30 p.m. Monday at Kale Funeral Home. Interment will be in Maple Hill Cemetery. Memorial contributions may be directed to Osceola United Methodist Church youth group and puppets. Online condolences may be directed to the family at www.kalefuneralhome.com.