Carol A. Presley

July 15, 1937 - May 25, 2017

Carol A. Presley, 79, of rural Eddyville, died Thursday, May 25, 2017, at the Hospice of Pella Comfort House in Pella. She was born July 15, 1937, on the family farm near Eddyville, Iowa, the daughter of Andrew “Andy” and Anna Sedlak Antolik, Sr. She graduated from Eddyville High School with the class of 1955. Following high school graduation, she worked in Albia for a short time. In 1960, Carol moved to Des Moines and went to work at Travelers Insurance, later she took a job with the Soil Conservation Service. On March 4, 1962, she was united in marriage to Dane Presley, Jr. in Ottumwa. Following their marriage, they moved to rural Knoxville. In February of 1969, Dane died. Following the death of her husband, Carol moved back to rural Eddyville and went to work for the Soil Conservation Service in Albia. She retired from there in 1997, after over 28 years of service. In retirement, she volunteered at the blood center in Ottumwa for many years. Though Carol was widowed young, she never remarried but she enjoyed the company and companionship of her good friend Frank Hurtig for over 26 years. She was a member of the St. John Lutheran Church in Oskaloosa where she was active in the Women’s Guild, and of the Ruritans in Eddyville. She enjoyed gardening, attending her grandchildren’s events, listening to country music, and dancing. She also enjoyed going on bus tours with her friends. She was always busy working and taking care of her family. She is survived by her daughter: Brenda (& Don) Ballard of Knoxville; a son: Kevin (& Dannitta) Presley of Oskaloosa; five grandchildren: Brian (Chelsey) Ballard, Kevin Ballard, Shawn Ballard, Nicole Presley and Matt Presley; 1 great grandson, Jaxson Ballard, born May 30, 2017; her close friend: Clarence “Bud” Loynachan of Knoxville. A brother: Andy (& Rita) Antolik, Jr. of Eddyville; two sisters: Pat (& Steve) Shelton of Newton and Sharon (& Larry) Wilkin of Albia. She was preceded in death by her parents; her husband; and a close friend: Frank Hurtig. Funeral services will be held Wednesday, May 31, 2017, at 10 a.m. in the St. John Lutheran Church in Oskaloosa with Reverend Greg Williamson officiating. Burial will be in the Graceland Cemetery in Knoxville. The Bates Funeral Chapel is in charge of the arrangements. Visitation will begin Tuesday morning after 11 a.m. in the Bates Funeral Chapel and the family will be at the funeral chapel from 6-8 Tuesday evening to greet friends and relatives. Memorials may be made to Ladies Guild at St. John Lutheran Church.