Carol Struble

Carol Struble passed away on Tuesday, September 22, 2026, with her daughters, Jenny and Sara, by her side.

Carol was born in Des Moines, Iowa, on February 28, 1948, to Carroll and Mary Willcox.

Carol attended Roosevelt High School and was a proud cheerleader for the RoughRiders. She later attended Simpson College, where she enjoyed sorority life after joining Alpha Chi Omega, where she made lifelong friends.

She met and married Rick Struble while at Simpson College. She and Rick began their lives together in Groton, Connecticut, at the Naval Base. After Rick left the Navy, the two began their family in St. Louis, Missouri. Rick’s job allowed them to enjoy living in Wilmington, Delaware; New Orleans, Louisiana; and Ft. Lauderdale, Florida, before ultimately settling back in St. Louis, Missouri.

Throughout the years, Carol worked as a legal secretary in both St. Louis and, after a move to Des Moines, Iowa, finished out her career with a law firm downtown.

Carol was a devoted daughter, sister, wife, mother, aunt, grandmother, and friend. All who knew her were blessed. She loved spending time with her girls, Jenny and Sara, attending all of their activities—from concerts and swimming and diving meets to Poms and cheer performances—and volunteered to help wherever she could.

Carol enjoyed gardening in her backyard oasis on Polk Boulevard. No matter where she lived, Carol strived to create a beautiful home that was always open to neighbors, family, and friends. She loved hosting family dinners and Christmas Cookie Baking Day with her girls, sisters, and eventually her grandkids. She was passionate about decorating for the holidays and loved a good girls’ night out with her closest friends.

Carol loved to travel. Her favorite destinations were Disney World and Hawaii. Carol was so pleased to be able to take her girls to visit Paris and Switzerland, where she enjoyed a glass of champagne at the top of the Eiffel Tower.

Carol was most proud of being given the title of “Grandma” to Margaret, Lane, and Mary Jane. She designed a bedroom just for the grandkids that included books, toys, and trunks full of dress-up clothes. They each loved taking turns going to sleepovers at Grandma’s house, watching movies, reading books, and eating Grandma’s special “dip eggs” with Pepperidge Farm toast. As she did with her own girls, Carol was never happier than when she could watch Margaret perform, Lane run, and Mary Jane tumble.

In her last years, Carol battled Alzheimer’s with grace and laughter. After selling her home, Carol split her time living with Sara and her family in Norwalk, Iowa, and Jenny and her husband in St. Louis, Missouri.

Carol is survived by her daughters, Jenny and her husband, Pete, and Sara and her husband, Jared; her grandchildren, Margaret, Lane, and Mary Jane; her sister, Mary “Twiss”; and her nieces and nephews, Becky, Mikey, Mandy, and Scottie. Carol was preceded in death by her parents, Carroll and Mary Willcox; her sister, Nancy; and her brother, Mike.

Jenny and Sara would like to extend their deep gratitude to the caregivers at StoryPoint and Care Initiatives Hospice in Norwalk for their excellent care and compassion during Carol’s final years.

In lieu of flowers, Carol would have encouraged you to find a special older woman in your life and take her out for a café mocha or a glass of wine! 

Please join us as we come together to celebrate and remember Carol, who was deeply loved and will be greatly missed.

Celebration of Life Saturday, October 17, at 11:30 a.m. 

Soteria Church

3250 SE Soteria Ave. West Des Moines, Iowa 50265 

We’ll gather together to share stories, memories, laughter, and love as we honor her beautiful life and the many lives she touched. Lunch and fellowship will follow. We would love to have you join us.