Carol Kay Spitler

     Carol Kay Spitler was born June 10, 1937 in Loyalton, South Dakota and shortly after was adopted by Leonard and Betty (Petersen) Duling. Carol passed away January 18, 2023, at the Exira Care Center in Exira, Iowa at the age of 85 years, 7 months, and 8 days.

     Carol was baptized and confirmed at Our Saviour’s Lutheran Church in Audubon. She attended the Audubon Community Schools and graduated from the Audubon High School with the Class of 1955. While a Senior in High School, Carol was employed at the Audubon County Memorial Hospital. She studied and became a Certified Nurse’s Assistant and worked in that capacity for the Hospital for 43 years until she retired.

     Carol was blessed with two children Barry and Tammy.

     Carol was a life-long member of Our Saviour’s Lutheran Church in Audubon. She taught Bible school and was a member of the Ladies Circle. She was a member of the Hospital Auxiliary and the hospital Historian. She made numerous scrap books commemorating the many changes that occurred during the years she worked at the hospital. Carol was a breast cancer survivor and participated in the many walks and activities to help lead the fight against cancer as long as her health allowed her to. She loved to collect teapots and had collected over 150 teapots of various shapes and sizes. Her collection started many years ago when her mother gave her the first teapot.

     In January of 2018, Carol moved to the Exira Care Center. She enjoyed and participated in the many activities and always attended the weekly church service. Her many years of being a CNA was in her blood and her compassion and caring spilled over to help the many residents of the Care Center.

     Carol loved spending time with her family especially her grandchildren. Christmas was her favorite holiday and she always had the grandchildren stay overnight and they would make Christmas cookies and other goodies. Carol was also thrilled to have 3 great grandchildren and spending time with them.

     Preceding her in death was her son Barry “Bear” Spitler; her granddaughter Erika Veach Holland; and her parents Leonard and Betty Duling.

     Survivors include her daughter Tammy and husband Randy Shaw of Des Moines, Iowa; her grandchildren Melissa and husband Brett Kessler of Grimes, Iowa and Tanner Shaw of Des Moines, Iowa; her great grandchildren Klarissa Veach, Amilya Veach, and James Holland all of Des Moines, Iowa; other relatives and friends.

     The family will greet friends Monday morning, January 23, 2023, from 10:00 a.m. until the time of the service at Our Saviour’s Lutheran Church in Audubon. Funeral services will be conducted by Pastor Dan Beattie on Monday morning, January 23, 2023, at 11:00 a.m. at Our Saviour’s Lutheran Church. Interment will be in the Maple Grove Cemetery in Audubon. The honorary casket bearers will be Johnny Blanchard, Brett Kessler, Stan Weihs, and Steve Fister. The casket bearers will be Randy Shaw, Tanner Shaw, Gary Gust, Greyson Gust, Bruce Christensen, and Don Rustvold.