Ida Carroll

Ida Carroll was a mother who, through her commitment to her family, redefines the concept of unconditional love. She had a full, caring heart and everyone who spent time with her felt the warmth of her presence.

Ida was born on November 24, 1916, to her proud parents, Jacob and Emily (Gainder) Barton, in Gun Plain Township, Michigan. Although the world was in the midst of World War I, Ida enjoyed an idyllic childhood on their family farm in Otsego, Michigan, where they moved when she was two. She grew up as an only child, though she had an older sister, Lora, who died at the age of three. Ida was always a willing worker, helping her parents to run the farm. She was most often in the fields with her mother, picking beans and cucumbers, or in the orchards harvesting cherries. As a teenager, Ida liked to write in her diary and kept one for many years. Outside of farm work, Ida was involved in 4-H and as a senior project they were to can 50 quarts of produce, which she canned 100 quarts and won first prize - $2.00.

After graduating from Otsego High School in 1935, Ida continued to live at home and began babysitting for her cousins to earn extra money. She was never without a playmate growing up with all her extended cousins. They used to go sledding together in the winter and were always at each other’s houses. This was how Ida met Robert T. Carroll, who she married on October 22, 1938. Their marriage did not last, however, and they divorced in 1952. Yet Ida came away with three beautiful daughters, Ruth, Dorothy and Gladys, who brought her so much joy. Not long after the divorce, Ida took her youngest daughter Gladys to California for a few months, visiting lots of their family who lived out there.

As a single mother, Ida was committed to creating a good home for her daughters. Used to hard work, she cleaned houses for many private family homes in the Plainwell area as well as doing ironing and laundry for several others, while raising her girls. She was always home when they came home from school and had a snack ready for them, most times it was a roll from the bakery in town. Ida also made sure they always had fresh milk each morning on the doorstep and ice from the ice truck. One year, she even had matching dresses made for each of the girls. Because of her unconditional love and selflessness, her daughters enjoyed a happy childhood filled with everything they needed and more.

Besides caring for her daughters, Ida enjoyed a variety of leisure activities. She loved to play games, such as Bingo (at home), Dominoes, Sorry and Triominoes, and had a knack for winning too. One of her great passions was for flowers and had beautiful pictures of all kinds of flowers throughout her living room. In fact, she even had two boards, which she changed monthly with seasonal or special occasion photos. Ida was a longtime member of the Plainwell United Methodist Church, and in 1980 began attending the Plainwell Church of Christ with her daughter Ruth.

What gave Ida the greatest joy was sharing herself with her family, offering them the most precious thing she possessed – her time. It is a gift none of her family will ever forget.

Ida Carroll, age 88, died at Life Care Center of Plainwell on Thursday, May 5, 2005. Ida’s family includes her children: Ruth A. Carroll of Plainwell, Dorothy & Leonard Sours of Plainwell, and Gladys & Jerry Hogue of Bloomingdale; grandchildren: Lora L. & Rodney Kappis of Plainwell, Theresa J. Sours & John Seekman of Otsego, Robert & Carrie Beardsley of Bloomingdale, and Cindy & Ted Murankus of Port St. Lucie, Florida; step-grandchildren: Todd Hogue of Kalamazoo and John Hogue of Mattawan; 10 great-grandchildren; sisters-in-law: Esther Woodruff and Mary Matkins; and several cousins. She was preceded in death by her parents, a sister, Lora Barton, Robert Carroll, and grandson, Rodney Kappis, Jr.

Learn more about Ida, visit with her family, and view her Life Story Film from 2-5 p.m. on Sunday, May 8, at the RDMG Life Story Funeral Home, Plainwell Chapel, where her service will be held on Monday, May 9, at 11 a.m. Please visit Ida’s memory page at www.lifestorynet.com where you can archive a favorite memory, order flowers or make a memorial contribution to either the Borgess VNA Hospice, Plainwell Church of Christ or Plainwell United Methodist Church.