Carol L. Brain, 88, of Newton, died Friday, Jan. 29, 2021, at Nelson Manor. A celebration of Carol’s life will also be held at a later date. In lieu of flowers, memorials to the Christian Conference Center may be left at the funeral home.
Carol, the daughter of Myrlin and Mona (Trout) Stanley, was born Feb. 22, 1932, at home in Poweshiek County in rural Lynnville. She grew up in rural Jasper County and graduated from Kellogg High School in 1949. On July 7, 1950, Carol was united in marriage with Byron “Bud” Brain at the Kellogg Methodist Church in Kellogg. They made their home in Newton, except from 1952-1956, when they lived in Albuquerque, N.M., while Bud served in the Air Force. Carol worked as a food stamp caseworker for the Department of Human Services for 18 years, retiring in 1991. She was an active member of the First Christian Church holding various offices, teaching Sunday school and Bible school and serving on the funeral luncheon committee for many years. She was also a member and held offices in the Christian Women’s Fellowship.
Carol is survived by her children, Jeff (Robin) Brain of Newton and Cathy Crady (Patrick Fortune) of Colfax; grandchildren, Nicole Brain (Shane Portzline) of Newton and Tammy Brain (Grant McDermott) of Newton; step-grandchildren, Chris (Erika) Crady of Polk City and Chad Crady (Aimee Elliotte) of Newton; great-grandchildren, Conner, Parker and Declan; step-great-grandchildren, Kyle, Casey (Kayla Franks), Ava, Cora and Acelynn; and several nieces and nephews. She was preceded in death by her parents; husband, Byron “Bud” Brain; brother, Laurence Stanley; two sisters, Marjorie Taft and Alice Shaver; and son-in-law, Jymm Crady.