Karilyn “Karol” Ellen Ellermann, 77

Karilyn “Karol” Ellen Ellermann, age 77, of Parkersburg, Iowa, was born the daughter of Robert Eugene and Ida Mae (McKinney) Jones, on February 21, 1947, in Waterloo, Iowa.  She was baptized and confirmed in the Lutheran faith.  In 1967, Karol graduated from West High School in Waterloo.  

On October 6, 1962, Karol was united in marriage with Dennis Leslie Ellermann at Grace Lutheran Church in Waterloo.  After their marriage, the couple lived in the Waterloo area. After their retirement, Karol and Dennis moved to Parkersburg to be closer to their family.  

Karol was employed at Cooks Department Store in Waterloo.  She also volunteered at Edison Junior High in Waterloo where she later became a para-educator and also for other Waterloo Schools, retiring in 2010.  After retirement, she volunteered to help with special reading at the Aplington Parkersburg Schools, which she thoroughly enjoyed.

Karol was currently attending St. John’s Lutheran Church – Vilmar in rural Greene, Iowa where she enjoyed serving and baking for the fellowship time.  In her younger years, Karol loved to go bowling and was part of a couple leagues.  She enjoyed cooking and baking, doing crossword puzzles, and watching Wheel of Fortune and Jeopardy.  She loved fishing and going to their cabin at Lake Loretta in Wisconsin after she retired.   Karol’s greatest joy was attending her grandchildren’s events and spending time with her grandchildren and great- grandchildren. 

Karol passed away on Sunday, January 26, 2025, at University of Iowa Hospitals & Clinics in Iowa City, Iowa, from complications of a stroke.  She was preceded in death by one daughter, Jolene Denise Ellermann, her parents, Robert and Ida Mae Jones; and her in-law, Hugo Ellermann and Mildred Ellermann.

Karol is survived by her husband of 62 years, Dennis, of Parkersburg; one son, Aaron (Angie) Ellermann of Parkersburg; three grandchildren, Ryan (Allie) Bixby, Alex (Monica) Bixby and Riley (Hunter) Beachler; seven great-grandchildren, Holland, Aria, August, Huxley, Hadley, Berkley, Reece and another baby Beachler on the way.

Funeral services were held at 10:30 a.m., on Saturday, February 1, 2025, at St. John’s Lutheran Church – Vilmar, in rural Greene, Iowa.  Pastor Tamara Keen officiated the service.  Organist was Barb Wagner and she accompanied the congregation as they sang “Blessed Assurance” and “Old Rugged Cross”.  Special music was provided as Aaron Ellermann sang “To Where You Are” and  “You Raise Me Up”.  Chad Redman accompanied Aaron.  Burial was held at Waterloo Memorial Park Cemetery in Waterloo with Ryan Bixby, Alex Bixby, Riley Beachler, Greg Ellermann, Mark DeBuhr and Doug DeBuhr serving as Casketbearers.  Honorary Casketbearers was Richard Jones.

Visitation was held from 4:00 p.m. to 7:00 p.m., on Friday, at the Redman Funeral & Cremation Services – Parkersburg Funeral Home and one hour before services at the church.  Memorials may be directed to the family.  Online condolences may be left at www.redmanfuneral.com