Carol Visser
February 15, 2021
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Service Details
Carol E. Visser passed away at her home in Altoona on February 15, 2021. She was born outside of New Virginia, IA on July 27, 1940, the daughter of Oliver (Lee) Floyd and Ardell Hommer Floyd.
Carol graduated from Oskaloosa High School. She was united in marriage to John Gross and they were blessed with two children, Leigh Ann and John.
In 2001, she married Melvin Visser and together they shared many wonderful years together until his passing in 2019.
Carol worked 24 years as a teacher associate at Clarke Community Jr/Sr High School in Osceola, Iowa. She was active in Polk County Master Gardeners, Greater Des Moines Botanical Garden, and she was a member of Centennial United Methodist Church at Ivy.
Carol was preceded in death by her parents; husband, Melvin; half-sister, Winnie; brothers, Elmer and Dale, and brother-in-law, Robert McBurney.
She is survived by her daughter, Leigh Ann (Dale) Powell of Coffey, MO; son, John (Cindy) Gross of Urbandale; granddaughter, Kristin (Dan) Gonzalez of Springfield, MO; sister, Janice McBurney of Cedar Rapids; and sister-in-law, Janet Olmsted Floyd of LaCrescenta, CA. She is also survived by Melvin’s daughters, Deb (Phil) Maxey, Tamara (Randy) Kuchenburg, Amy (Bruce Strohmeyer) Harkey, and Laura Visser, as well as numerous grandchildren and great-grandchildren.
A memorial service will be held at 12:00 p.m. on Thursday, February 25, 2021, at Hamilton’s Altoona Funeral Home, 105 4th Street SW, with visitation one hour prior to service time. A private burial will be held at Forest Cemetery in Oskaloosa at a later date.
Memorial contributions may be directed to Greater Des Moines Botanical Garden in loving memory of Carol.
Online condolences may be expressed at:
www.HamiltonsFuneralHome.com
Kevin Floyd
02/25/2021
Though I did not know Aunt Carol well, I have good memories of her and my visits to Iowa in my youth. Aunt Carol struck me as a humble, caring and giving person.
Many may not know, but Aunt Carol documented and distributed some of the Floyd/Hommer family history. My early interest in American history was in part inspired by her re-typing of our common ancestor's Civil War experiences from the Library of Congress archives. Later Aunt Carol and Aunt Janice would document my grandma Ardell's tasty recipes, including my personal favorite - zucchini bread. Aunt Carol also typed her parent's autobiography (Grandpa Lee and Grandma Ardell), providing snapshots of daily life for the Floyd family in the 1930s and 1940s. But even more, the autobiography provides insight into the values that my dad (Elmer) and his siblings (Winnie, Dale, Janice, and Carol) grew up with.
Though geography separated us, Aunt Carol touched my life in ways that she probably thought inconsequential. By documenting the family history, Aunt Carol created a connection to the family past and, in turn, gave me a better understanding who I am.
My sincere condolences to Aunt Janice, Leigh Ann, Dale, John, Cindy, family and friends.
With love,
Kevin Floyd (nephew), Mitchie, Kelsey (21), Marcy (18)
Aiea, HI
Jan Chambers
02/21/2021
Carol was a great influence in my life -- and career -- as librarian at Clarke Community in Osceola. It is with extreme sadness that I saw her obituary this morning. I am so sorry for your loss. May she rest in peace.
Deb (Floyd) Kallas
02/18/2021
Sending our thoughts and prayers out to John, Cindy, Leigh Ann and family during this time of reflection. May your cherished memories help you to endure this challenging time. Aunt Carol will be sorely missed as she was such a gentle, loving person. Bless you all.
Steve Brimeyer
02/18/2021
Sorry for your loss. Jill and I will have you and your family in our thoughts and prayers.
J
02/16/2021
God looked around his garden
And found an empty place.
He then looked down upon the earth,
And saw your tired face.
He put His arms around you
And lifted you to rest.
Gods garden must be beautiful,
He always takes the best.
He knew that you were suffering,
He knew that you were in pain.
He knew that you would never
Get well on earth again.
He saw the road was getting rough
And the hills were hard to climb.
So He closed your weary eyelids
And whispered Peace be thine.
It broke our hearts to lose you
But you did not go alone
For part of us went with you
The day God called you home.
This was the poem that was read for Papa, I found it fitting for you as well. Thank you for loving my grandfather. Forever in our hearts you will remain Grandma Carol.