Charolette Ann Ferrel, 71, of rural Birmingham, IA passed away on Friday, April 29, 2022, at her home. Funeral services will be held at 10:30 a.m. on Friday, May 6, 2022, at the Pedrick Funeral Home in Keosauqua, IA. Burial will be held privately at a later date. Visitation will begin at 2:00 p.m. on Thursday, May 5, 2022, at the Pedrick Funeral Home in Keosauqua with the family present to greet friends from 5:00 p.m. until 7:00 p.m. Memorial contributions in Charolette’s honor may be directed to the Ronald McDonald House (support.rmhc.org) or to the American Liver Foundation (liverfoundation.org) and may be mailed to 17045 Lark Ave., Birmingham, IA 52535. Friends may leave online condolences at www.cranstonfamilyfuneralhome.com.
Charolette Ann Ferrel was born on October 4, 1950, in Unionville, MO to Leon and E. Ruth Bowman Dunkin. She attended and graduated from Fox Valley High School with the class of 1970. Shortly after graduation she began at the Capri Cosmetology School in Fairfield, IA and went on to manage a beauty shop in Milton, IA. On September 23, 1973, in Keosauqua, IA Charolette married the love of her life, Frank Ferrel. They became the proud parents of two children, Evonne and Kevin. Charolette and Frank raised their family on their farm near Birmingham where she helped keep things running around the house and on the farm. She eventually began working as a substitute rural mail carrier for the USPS and eventually became full time. She was a dedicated employee for over 20 years until her retirement in 2007. Charolette enjoyed flowers, doing plastic canvas and knitting blankets for her grandchildren. In their early years, Charolette and Frank would spend many nights camping together as a family. She was a loving wife, mother, grandmother, and sister who will be deeply missed.
Charolette was preceded in death by her parents, Leon and Ruth Dunkin.
Left to share her story is her loving husband, Frank Ferrel of rural Birmingham, IA; two children, Evonne Patteson of Birmingham, IA and Kevin Ferrel of Birmingham, IA; four grandchildren, Zane Patteson, Gage Patteson, Madison Ferrel (Cameron Harrison), and Maycee Ferrel; three siblings, Terry (Gail) Dunkin, Carol (Matt) Shoemaker, and Alan Dunkin, as well as many extended family and friends.
