Verlene Fay (Carrell) McOLLOUGH

MCOLLOUGH, CARRELL, MATSON, HAVLICK, WALBRIDGE, STEPANEK

Posted By: Sarah Thorson Little (email)
Date: 8/4/2011 at 12:48:20

February 8, 1923 --- July 13, 2011

The Lord called Verlene Carrell McOllough home on Wednesday, July 13, 2011. A memorial service to celebrate her life will be held at the Clarion Church of Christ, on Saturday, July 23, at one o'clock in the afternoon. Memorials may be sent to the family c/o Church of Christ, Clarion. The Ewing Funeral Home was in charge of the arrangements.

Verlene Fay Carrell, was born on February 8, 1923, to Ira and Ethel Matson Carrell in Clarion, Iowa. A child during the Great Depression, Verlene enjoyed simple blessings. During the summer, her father managed the roller skating rink at Lake Cornelia where she "grew up on skates." The most crucial moment of Verlene's childhood occurred at age 7, when she contracted diphtheria. Her throat swelled to the "diameter of a pencil" but by the grace of God she survived. Later attending the Clarion High School, Verlene performed in several theatrical productions and musical groups. She sang in the girls' sextet which won first honors in the National Music Contest and she played clarinet in the marching band, which won the National Championship in 1940. Following graduation, Verlene was invited to sing twice over radio station KVFD in Fort Dodge on the "New Voices" program. While driving to her second performance, Verlene was critically injured as she swerved her car to avoid hitting a child pushing a bicycle. The car rolled several times and came to rest on its wheels in a cornfield. Although hospitalized with a fractured pelvis and internal injuries, Verlene was blessed with a full recovery.

Verlene was engaged to Clair J. McOllough in 1941. Clair had entered the U.S. Army as a one-year draftee, but after World War II began, Verlene waited 4 1/2 years for her fiancé to return. On December 9, 1945, Verlene and Clair were united in marriage at the Park Church of Christ in Ottumwa. Four children were born to this union. Clair went into the farming business and in 1953 opened his own feed and fertilizer business in Clarion, The Clarion Farm Supply. In addition to supporting Clair in his business and raising their four children, Verlene held several positions in the Clarion community including Deputy Recorder for Wright County and Assistant Librarian for the Clarion Public Library. She served as treasurer for the restoration of the Clarion Rock Island Railroad Depot and worked tirelessly to secure the depot's listing on the National Register of Historic Places. She gave vocal performances and private voice lessons throughout the community. A freelance writer, Verlene enjoyed writing on a variety of subjects and maintained a particular interest in the "Orphan Trains" by which several people she knew from childhood had arrived in Clarion. Verlene's stories appeared in many publications, including Country Woman, The Goldfinch, The Palimpsest and several Iowa newspapers. Verlene loved the Lord and was a long-time member of the Clarion Church of Christ.

Verlene's husband, Clair and sister, Ruth Havlick preceded her in passing into Heaven. She is survived by four children, Viki and husband, Van Walbridge of Arvada, Colorado, David McOllough of Clarion, Dan McOllough and wife, Linda of Algona and Jacque and husband, Jack Stepanek of Ankeny; eight grandchildren; two great-grandchildren; brother-in-law, Dean McOllough; and several nieces and nephews.

Wright County Monitor - Clarion, Iowa
July 21, 2011