Carolee Joyce Kern, 91, of Ottumwa, died at 1:30 p.m. February 4, 2025 at Ottumwa Regional Health Center.
She was born October 8, 1933 in Ottumwa to Thomas Everett and Dorothy Ranard Graham. She married Mervin Joseph Kern April 24, 1954 and he preceded her in death October 14, 1997.
A resident of Ottumwa all of her life, Carolee had attended Ottumwa Heights Academy and was very involved in the community. She had been president of Anne G. Wilson PTA, a Brownie leader and a Cub Scout Den Mother, as well as Treasurer of the National Little League. She was a member of Beta Sigma Phi Sorority – Iowa Alpha Theta Masters. Carolee was passionate about politics and had been president of League of Women Voters of Ottumwa, an advocate for Iowa Equal Rights Amendment and Treasurer of Wapello County Democratic Central Committee. She helped organize the Ottumwa Area Women’s Political Caucus as well as serving on 2 state boards for Iowa 2000. She was a member of the 8th Judicial Nominating Commission and secretary for the 1st District Democratic Central Committee. Carolee had co-chaired the forming of the Wapello County Legal Aid Society and was president of the Wapello County Legal Aid Board. She co-founded The Women’s Center at Ottumwa Heights College and was president of the Crisis Center and Women’s Shelter board. She had been president of the Ottumwa Zoning Board of Adjustment, treasurer of the Alert Ottumwa Task Force, involved in the Wapello County Compensation Commission, the Ottumwa Noon Lions Club, the Red Hat Society and co-chaired the housing committee for RAGBRAI in 2000.
Carolee was well known in the community for her involvement with Welcome Wagon and was owner of Welcome to Ottumwa, retiring in 2004.
Carolee was a member of St. Patrick Catholic Church. She had been president of the Sacred Heart Church Altar and Rosary Society and facilitator of the St. Mary’s Grief Support Group.
Carolee enjoyed playing Bridge, walking and reading.
Surviving are her children, Barry Thomas Kern, Pamela Ann (Gary) Iversen and Tara Leigh Kern; 2 grandchildren, Alexandra Fairbanks Schroll and Sara Fairbanks; 4 great-grandchildren; and her special friend and companion, Robert L. McCall.
She was preceded in death by her parents and sister, Linda Kay Collier.
Visitation will be open at 11 a.m. Friday, February 7th at Reece Funeral Home. A Christian Wake Service will be held at 4 p.m. Friday, followed by the family present to greet friends until 6 p.m.
Funeral Mass will be 1 p.m. Saturday, February 8th at St. Patrick Catholic Church with Father Ben Snyder celebrating. Burial will be in Calvary Cemetery.
Memorials may be made to Heartland Humane Society.
