Carole M. Phillips

Carole Maxine Phillips, age 85, entered peacefully into heaven on July 4, 2022. She was born in Des Moines, Iowa on December 31, 1936, to John and Hazel Phillips.

After graduating from East High School in 1954, Carole was eager to start her rich career path. She began her journey at Northwestern Mutual, where she spent 7 productive years. From there she landed a growth opportunity with Elkirt Vertical Blinds Inc., where she also spent 7 years. Then in 1968 she answered an ad in the newspaper for a secretarial position at E.I. Sargent Quarries, Inc. (later called Martin Marietta, Inc). While interviewing with the owner himself, Ernie Sargent, he was so impressed that he hired her on the spot and she started the next day! It was a decision he would never regret! During her tenure at Martin Marietta, Carole proved her worth many times over, earning her way from her early years in a secretarial role to the well-respected role of Office Manager of Human Resources. After 30 years of dedicated service, Carole was able to reward herself with an early retirement on January 1, 2000.

As a young woman, Carole was a member of Venture Club, a National Organization for women under 35. She would go on to serve as President of the Des Moines, Iowa chapter and later as Secretary for the Midwest Region. Carole was also very actively involved with the Catholic Young Adult Club (CYAC). The CYAC allowed her the opportunity to foster her faith in an environment of community building with others wanting to do the same.

Carole’s hobbies included being an adventurous traveler, trying her luck at the occasional casino, bowling for sport, and Carole absolutely loved to dance. She was a very capable artist as well. At the age of 43 she was resolute she would learn how to oil paint, she was a natural talent and spent many hours perfecting her gift.

Carole’s love for travel took her on many escapades across the country with her sisters and friends, always up for adventure! … like the week she and friends spent on a Dude Ranch in Winter Park Colorado. Or the 1962 celebration at the Seattle World Fair. Then in 1974 her dreams of taking a trip abroad finally came true; she and her friend, Pat, went on a three-week eleven country tour of Europe. It was the trip of a lifetime! And some of Carole’s favorite memories, were any one of the many family “Girl’s” weekends. These weekends would include her sisters, sister-in-law, nieces, and great niece to cities like, Chicago, Kansas City, Okoboji, and even thoroughly enjoyed a “Stay-Cation” weekend in Des Moines.

Another of Carole’s loves in life were her dogs. Over the years she owned several breeds with the final being a Bichon Frise named Heidi. She often would take Heidi to Rover’s Ranch dog park for doggie play dates.



Carole was an outgoing, welcoming, kind, and gracious woman who was a friend to everyone she met. Although her journey here on this earth has ended, her eternity with Christ has just begun! Rejoice!

She is survived by her sister, Sandra Shnurman, nephew Steve (Tammy) Fish, niece Cheri (Rick) Adcox, niece Laura (Randy) Stephenson, nephew Gregory (Jennifer) Phillips, nephew Thomas (Mary) Phillips, nephew Vincent (Shari) Phillips, niece Maria Phillips, niece Robbin (Matthew) Galdeano, nephew Scott Shnurman, her dear friend [who was like a sister to her] Pat Kuenkel, as well as many aunts, uncles, cousins, several great nieces and nephews, and many loving friends.

Carole was a member of St. Mary of Nazareth Catholic Church in Des Moines, Iowa where she faithfully served as an usher for many years.

Mass of Christian Burial will be held at 11:00 a.m. on Monday, July 11, 2022, at St. Mary of Nazareth Catholic Church, 4600 Meredith Drive in Des Moines, Iowa. Visitation will be held prior to services from 10:00-11:00 a.m. Following services, she will be laid to eternal rest at Glendale Cemetery.

The family would like to invite you to join them for a light luncheon at St. Mary of Nazareth Catholic Church following the cemetery burial.

Memorial contributions may be directed to St. Mary of Nazareth Catholic Church or to the Iowa Alzheimer’s Association in loving memory of Carole.

https://www.alz.org/iowa

Online condolences may be expressed at:
www.HamiltonsFuneralHome.com

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