Caroline Marie Sheely, 100, of Oskaloosa, died Monday, July 27, 2026, at the MHP Hospice Serenity House in Oskaloosa. She was born May 25, 1926, in Aitkin, Minnesota, the daughter of Carl and Helen Hartman Lindblom. In 1938, the family moved to Barnes City. In 1942, she was baptized at the United Methodist Church in Barnes City. She graduated from Barnes City High School with the class of 1945. Following graduation, she worked at the Mahaska County Hospital as a nurse aide. In 1946 she met the love of her life, Delmer Sheely, who had just been honorably discharged from the United States Army. On March 21, 1947, Marie and Delmer were married in Kansas City, Kansas. Following their marriage Marie worked at the old Continental Overall Factory in Oskaloosa and the Pella shirt factory for a total of 38.5 years, retiring in December of 1985. She enjoyed crocheting especially doll clothes and afghans and sewing pillows. She loved her cats and always had one or two. She also enjoyed camping and fishing and hosting fish fries, collecting porcelain dolls and knick knacks. Marie was a talented gardener evidence of her green thumb was all through her gorgeous flower beds. She loved taking pictures and sharing them with her family and friends, her archive of photos was often the source of long-lost photos. She and Delmer loved to take road trips and visited nearly every state.
Those left to mourn her passing is one brother, Kenneth (Linda) Lindblom of Pella; four sisters-in-law, Florence Lindblom of Barnes City, Sandra Hudson of Delta, Violet Valster of Oskaloosa, and Donna Sheely of Carlisle; and many nieces and nephews.
She was preceded in death by her husband Delmer Sheely on January 13, 2011, her parents and grandparents; two brothers, Donald Lindblom (in infancy) and Gordon Lindblom; a sister, Norma Spooner; five sisters-in-law, Phyllis, Shirley, Zola, Hazel Sheely, and Judy Lindblom; eight brothers-in-law, Jerry, Larry, Eugene, Bernard, Darrell, Roger, and Lloyd Sheely, and Bill Spooner; two nieces, Patricia Fraker and Diana Kitzmann; and a nephew, Larry Dennis Sheely.
Funeral services will be held Monday, August 3, 2026, at 11:00 a.m. in the Bates Funeral Chapel in Oskaloosa with Reverend Vince Homan officiating. Burial will be in the Barnes City Cemetery. The Bates Funeral Chapel is in charge of the arrangements. Visitation will be held Monday, August 3, 2026 from 9:00 a.m. until service time at 11:00 a.m. in the Bates Funeral Chapel. Memorials may be made to MHP Hospice Serenity House or Stephen Memorial Animal Shelter.
