Carol Ann Reeve

Carol Ann Veatch Reeve, daughter of Howard Clinton Veatch and Leola Ione Davis Veatch, was born in Creston, Iowa on July 25, 1945. Carol Ann passed from this world into eternity at the Greater Regional Hospice House – HCI on October 16, 2014 at the age of 69 years 2 months and 22 days after battling a debilitating neuropathy which began in her feet and later also included her hands.
Carol Ann was born while her father was still on active duty in the Army stationed in Japan. During this time, while staying with Grandpa and Grandma Davis, Ione took Carol Ann to the very first Lenox Rodeo when she was only a few days old.
Some of Carol Ann’s happiest memories as a child were going on vacation all across the United States with Grandpa and Grandma Davis when it was her turn to go with them and also receiving picture post cards from them when it was not.
Carol Ann attended school in Nevinville, Greenfield, Cromwell and Creston with the Class of 1963. She completed the requirements for her GED and received her diploma on September 7, 1993. While attending Cromwell High School, Carol Ann participated in band, chorus and as a basketball cheerleader with one of her best friends, Sharon Schrodt Abell. While attending Creston High School, her compassion for others began early and was noticeable when she cared for her cousins Marlin, Dale and Karen after school so Aunt Wilma could be with Uncle Marion in the hospital
Carol Ann married David Bruce Rhine at the Cromwell Congregational United Church of Christ on March 5, 1962. To this union two children were born, Christy Ann and Steven Bruce. This marriage ended when they were divorced on November 15, 1969.
While struggling to raise two small children as a single mom, Carol Ann worked several different jobs. She worked as a car hop at the A&W Root Beer stand where she began a lifelong friendship with Patricia Baker Heimke. Carol Ann worked as a waitress at Williams Café, as a receptionist at Reserve Life Insurance and as the office manager for William L Chaney, DC. Each time that she changed jobs she was able to improve the quality of life for herself and her children. It was while working at Williams Café in 1970 that Carol Ann first met Richard Leroy Reeve. She learned quickly that a little extra shredded cheese on his salad would increase her tip and she took advantage of this situation on many occasions. To encourage his attention she would sometimes accept his request for a dance at the JayBird Lounge but only if the “New Sound Band” was playing “I Never Promised You A Rose Garden” by Lynn Anderson. They began dating in January of 1972 and were married at The Little Brown Church in the Vale at Nashua, Iowa on May 28, 1972. This marriage which began “Before God” and ended “When Death Did Us Part” lasted 42 years 4 months and 19 days.
To this union three children were born, Richard LeBaron, Annette Marie and David James. When Rick was born, Carol Ann decided it was now time to become a stay at home mom to raise her baby. During that process she also decided to begin baby-sitting other people’s newborn babies.
Carol Ann’s final career change began in 1987 when she became a Wal-Mart Associate. She received her 10 Year Recognition Pin from Wal-Mart before her declining health forced her to retire.
As a member of the His Helpers Sunday School Class and Women’s Fellowship of the Cromwell Congregational United Church of Christ, when her health permitted, Carol Ann enjoyed baking bread rolls and cinnamon rolls for the food stand during Balloon Days and especially for the Sunrise Easter Service Breakfast. She baked her rolls during the night so she could deliver them while they were still warm and fresh from the oven. She taught all of her children how to bake them from memory because she did not have a recipe any more. Steve finally convinced her to write something down because he always wondered how big a “pinch” of something was.
Carol Ann always attended her children’s activities which included band concerts, dance recitals, play productions, football games and wrestling matches. Sometimes she thought the weather could have cooperated more because it can get really cold and wet in a football stadium in November. Although Carol Ann admitted that she did not always understand the rules of the game. She would watch and cheer and worry that something bad might happen to her child but that did not keep her from coming back for more. When Carol Ann’s sons told her that they wanted to be in Cub Scouts, she volunteered to be a Den Leader. Steve was a member of Den 1, Pack 130 in Clearfield, Iowa. Rick and David were members of Den 3, Pack 12 and also Troop 12 in Creston, Iowa where they both became Eagle Scouts. Carol Ann received the Award of Merit from the Nischa Nimat District, Mid America Council BSA in recognition of her many years as a volunteer on November 10, 1988. One little guy that she got to know was Curtis Hoakison. He joined Cub Scouts a year late but he wanted to earn all of the badges and become an Eagle Scout someday. It was during this time that she became acquainted with Curtis’ mom, Judy, and began their friendship that would last for the rest of her life. Curtis did achieve all of his scouting goals and when he received a scholarship to play football at NIACC in Mason City, Iowa, Carol Ann would invite him over for supper at least once a week so Curtis began to call her his Mason City Mom.
When it became time for Carol Ann’s mom to move from her home at Quiet Harbor Estates due to health concerns, Carol Ann and Dick purchased it and began the next chapter of their lives in a new neighborhood. When Frank and Irene Ripperger moved in next door, an old friendship was renewed. Irene being the excellent cook that she is, was always sending Frank over with the “extras” because she said it was hard to cook for just two people. When Irene published her latest cook book, “Recipes from the Heart of Grandma Irene”, she included one of Carol Ann’s recipes for a cheese ball. Carol Ann remained convinced that Frank and Irene were the best neighbors that she had ever had.
When Carol Ann was admitted to the Greater Regional Medical Center for the last time, things did not look good. All of her children and her brother Hal Dean and his wife Deb were able to be with her. When it became time for her to be moved to the Hospice House, she knew that the end was near. She was patiently waiting for her favorite uncle Walt Veatch to find her and he showed up Thursday afternoon.
Carol Ann was preceded in death by her parents, Dick’s parents, her daughter Christy Ann Rhine and her grandson Sawyer Rhine.
Carol Ann is survived by her husband, Dick Reeve of Creston, Iowa; her only brother Hal Dean (wife Deb) Veatch of Kent, Iowa; Children: Steve (wife Michelle) Rhine of Des Moines, Iowa, Rick (wife Wendy) Reeve of San Angelo, Texas, Annette (husband Pete) Faux of Farmington, Minnesota, and David Reeve of Creston, Iowa; Grandchildren: Elizabeth Reeve, Gavin Rhine, Cassandra Reeve, Jordan Rhine, Hayden Reeve, Elsie Faux and Sullivan Faux; Jeltje Schilstra of Makkum, Netherlands a foreign exchange student hosted by Annette and Pete; Brothers-in-Law: Jim (wife Remy) Reeve of Warrenton, Virginia, John (wife Sue) Reeve of Corpus Christi, Texas; Sister-in-Law: Nancy Reeve of Mesquite, Texas; Aunts: Alice Campbell of Adel, Iowa, Arda Brown of Tempe, Arizona; Uncle: Walt Veatch of Prescott, Iowa; Several nieces, nephews, cousins, other relatives and friends. Carol Ann will be greatly missed by all.
The Family wishes to thank Dr. Steven Reeves and the nursing staff at both Greater Regional Medical Center and Greater Regional Hospice House – HCI for their loving and caring support.