Carolyn Brummel

January 19, 1922 - May 31, 2018

On May 31, 2018 at the age of 96, Ruth “Carolyn” Brummel passed away in her sleep at the Hiawatha Care Center in Hiawatha. Carolyn was born on Thursday, January 19, 1922 in Fremont, the daughter of Howard and Flossie (Caves) Robbins. After graduating from Oskaloosa High School, she spent her working years as a bookkeeper for John Van Zunk and then later Brummel Bros until retiring at the age of 62. On January 17, 1943, Carolyn married the love of her life, Earl Henry Brummel. After thirty years of marriage, Earl preceded her in death on September 30, 1973, remaining in her heart for more than 40 years until she was able to join him. For more than 60 years, Carolyn made her house a warm loving home in Leighton, Iowa; raising her family, building lifelong friendships, and being a part of her community. Full of energy, Carolyn enjoyed spending time with her family and friends (especially having coffee time), shopping, tending to her flowers and garden, making ceramics, bird watching, doing her word searches and puzzles, as well as playing cards and games. She was affectionately known as “cookie grandma” to the friends of her grandkids as she was always baking and cooking for everyone she knew. Kids (and adults) love the baked treats that she was so happy to share. Carolyn liked to travel which was a great opportunity to see new places, visit family and friends as well as meet new people. She relished in spending time with those she cared about as well as visiting with the new people she met. Even in her final years, after moving from the place she loved, she was always greeting and talking to people, capturing their affection and making their day with her friendliness. Those friends and family that she held dear, meant the world to her as she did to them. Carolyn leaves behind her close family: son Rex Brummel; daughter Barb Vos; grandchildren Melissa (Anthony) and Steven; as well as 5 great grandchildren Alexis, Zac, Emily, Natalie and Trent. Carolyn was preceded in death by her parents, brothers Dale Robbins, Keith Robbins, Dwight Robbins, Harold Robbins and sisters Liz Dalbey, and Dorothy Bunting. She is survived by: brothers: Paul Robbins, Rex Robbins, Dave Robbins, and sister Pauline Blake. Funeral services will be held Friday, June 8, 2018, at 10:30 A.M. in Ebenezer Reformed Church in Leighton with Reverends Todd Rempe and Joe Brummel officiating. There will be a family prayer service at 10:15 Friday morning in the basement of the church. Burial will be in the Evergreen Cemetery in Leighton. The Bates Funeral Chapel is in charge of the arrangements. Visitation will begin Thursday, June 7, 2018, after 1 p.m. in the Ebenezer Reformed Church in Leighton and the family will be present at the church Thursday from 5 – 7 P.M. to greet friends and relatives. Memorials may be made to the Promise House in Hiawatha or to Ebenezer Reformed Church in Leighton.