Carol Dasher

Carol DeAnn (Crandell) Dasher, age 86, of Indianola, formerly of Winterset, Iowa, passed away on July 21, 2025 at The Village Healthy Living. Carol was born on May 5, 1939, the daughter of Mark Leonard and Buena Manila (Jackson) Crandell in Central City, Nebraska.

She was raised in the Central City area, graduating from Central City High School in 1957. After high school, she attended the University of Nebraska, obtaining her Bachelors Degree in Vocal Instruction. While attending the University of Nebraska, Carol met and began to date Darwin. The two were united in marriage on August 21, 1960. Carol and Darwin moved to Arizona shortly after marriage where Darwin was stationed at Luke Air Force Base near Phoenix. Darwin was transferred to Holbrook Air Force Base at the Panama Canal Zone after they were in Phoenix for a year, to which Carol moved back to the Central City area and she began to teach at the Marquette Nebraska school district. She began teaching 9-12 English and K-12 Vocal Music for a year. In 1962, Carol joined Darwin in Panama where they lived for a year and a half. The couple moved back to the United States in 1964. Upon returning to the U.S., Carol began teaching again at Marquette Nebraska.

In 1965, Carol and Darwin moved to Iowa. Carol and Darwin enrolled in Arkansas State University as Graduate Students in 1967 with a goal in mind to obtain their Masters Degrees in Music Education, and completed this in 1968. After this, they moved to Winterset, Iowa where they both were employed by the Winterset Community Schools as Music Teachers. Carol taught elementary music and beginning band, to which she retired from after a 30 year career.

The couple welcomed two children, Joel in 1969, and Amy in 1972. Joel and Amy gave Carol and Darwin so much joy and happiness, to which the two became musicians in their own right. After the birth of their children, Carol accepted Christ as savior and dedicated her life to serving Christ with her music. She was a lifelong musician, directing church choirs, playing the organ, participating in community band as both an instrumentalist and director. Carol served on the school board of Grace Christian Academy for many years. Her passion was playing the piano and accompanying soloists.

Carol was preceded in death by her parents; husband: Darwin; and brother: Donovan.

Survivors include her children: Joel Dasher of Minot, ND and Amy Dasher; 5 grandchildren; as well as many more relatives and friends.

A celebration of life and burial will be held at a future date around the time of the Covered Bridge Festival in Winterset.

Memorials are suggested to the Winterset Community Band, 708 W. Jefferson Street, Winterset, IA 50273.