November 24, 1926 – December 27, 2025
Carmen Wolf, 99, passed away peacefully on December 27, 2025. She was born on November 24, 1926, in Garner, Iowa, the daughter of Benjamin and Luvine (Schwartz) Goll, and was the third of four children.
Carmen grew up in Garner and graduated from Garner High School in 1944. After high school, she spent several years in Estes Park, Colorado, before returning to Iowa, where she settled in Des Moines and worked for the phone company.
On February 28, 1949, Carmen was united in marriage to James Wolf in Garner. Together they raised four daughters. In 1960, the family moved to Mason City, where Carmen devoted herself to caring for her family at home. Following Jim’s unexpected death in 1967, Carmen entered the workforce, beginning a long and steady career marked by dedication and resilience. She worked at Mason City Abstract Company, later for the City of Mason City in the Building Inspection Department, and concluded her working years at the Landfill of North Iowa.
Carmen lived life with energy and enthusiasm. She bowled in a traveling league that took her to nearly every state. She was an avid sports fan, especially of girls’ basketball, the Iowa Hawkeyes, and Caitlin Clark, and she faithfully cheered on the Minnesota Twins.
She was a talented baker and gifted seamstress, making much of her daughters’ clothing when they were young. Carmen was especially known for her cinnamon rolls, pies, and Christmas candies, which became cherished family traditions. She loved playing cards and was a longtime member of both a Bridge group and a Mah Jong group. One of her favorite routines was Tuesday morning breakfast with friends at Pies N More.
Carmen will be remembered for her independence, work ethic, and the care she put into everything she did—whether for her family, her friends, or her community.
She is survived by her daughters, Sandi Baxter, Jan (Dan) Wolf Johnson, Nancy Wolf and Fred Solony, and Karen Marson and John May; granddaughters, Leesa (Kyle), Sara (Mike), and Olivia (Marshall); great grandchildren, Madison (Chris), Jonathen, Mackenzie (Camden), Kennedy, Quinn, Callan, and Maycie; as well as many nieces, nephews, extended family and friends.
She is preceded in death by her parents; husband, Jim; grandson, Ted Meggers; sons in law, Ken Baxter and Danny Marson; and siblings, Fieldon Goll, Dean (Doris) Goll, and Elaine (Dick) Frein.
Visitation will be held Sunday, January 4, 2026 at Hogan Bremer Moore Colonial Chapel, 126 3rd St NE, Mason City from 2 pm until 4 pm.
A Funeral service will be held 10:30 a.m. Monday, January 5, 2026 at Hogan Bremer Moore Colonial Chapel, with Pastor Linda Johnson Prestholt presiding. Burial will follow in Elmwood St Joseph Cemetery, Mason City.
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