Published: October 31, 2008 03:38 pm            

Carl Humphery

Carl Marvin Humphrey was the youngest of three sons that were born to Fred Norman and Josephine Bohnam Humphrey. His mother worked as a teacher and waitress and his father was a farmer. Carl was born on April 5, 1926, at Clearmont, Missouri, a town of only 325 people. Carl attended the Clearmont Schools and graduated from Clearmont High School with the Class of 1944. During his childhood he enjoyed playing sports, radio shows and listening to baseball games. Carl enrolled at Tarkio College in Tarkio, Missouri in 1944, a smaller college of 400 students where he had aspirations of becoming a sports announcer. Carl’s college education was interrupted during World War II when he was inducted into the Army of the United States in January of 1946. Carl served as a clerk for the Inspector General and was honorably discharged in January of 1947. Following his discharge Carl returned to Tarkio College where he met Muriel Ann Ross, a daughter of Rev. and Mrs. Archie Ross. Carl and Muriel’s first date was attending a movie at Tarkio. As they were walking arm and arm, Muriel slipped and fell on the ice and of course, Carl, the valiant warrior that he was, had to pick her up. Soon thereafter Carl gave her a ring and the ring must have sparkled so much that she never saw the moon. Carl and Muriel were united in marriage on August 3, 1947 at the Presbyterian Church in Kansas City, Missouri and shared a mutual respect for each other all their married life. Carl graduated from Tarkio College in 1949 with majors in Accounting and Business Administration. Following his graduation Carl and Muriel located in Winterset, Iowa where he became the Business Teacher at Winterset High School. Carl then became the office credit manager for Sherwin Williams in Aurora, Illinois during which time their first child, Teresa Ann, was born. Shortly thereafter Carl and Muriel returned to Winterset where their next two children were born: Mark Allen and Lori Jean. Carl taught business education at Winterset High School for 16 years. He then became an Assistant Vice President for Business Affairs at Central College in Pella, Iowa in 1966. When the family moved to Pella they were all five in different school systems. Carl was at the college, Muriel taught at Lincoln Grade School, Terri was in high school, Marc was in middle school and Lori was at Webster Grade School. Central College was a college of 800 students when Carl became vice president and the business office was in charge of the book store, the food service, the physical plant and all of the staff. Carl served the college in this position for 25 years until he retired in 1991. The college remained very dear to him as did the Pella Kiwanis Club and the St. Louis Cardinals, however, his family and his church family were paramount. Carl was recognized as becoming a patron member of the Central College Heritage Club.

He served the First Reformed Church of Pella faithfully and diligently as an Elder. Carl was treasurer for the Pella Noon Kiwanis Club for over 20 years and a member of Kiwanis International for 56 years; and had been active with the Pella Historical Society. During his retirement years he enjoyed riding his bicycle and traveling. On Sunday morning, October 5, 2008, Carl passed away at the Hospice of Pella Comfort House in Pella six months following his 82nd birthday. Those who will cherish his memory are his faithful wife of 61 years, Muriel; his three children, Terri and John Gotta of Knoxville, Marc and Jennifer (Hampel) Humphrey of West Des Moines and Lori and Brian Fegley of Cedar Falls and their spouses, 10 grandchildren and one great-granddaughter.

Carl leaves a sister-in-law and her husband, Rachel (Ross) and Ken Morgan of Dayton, Tennessee and a brother-in-law, Kenneth Ross of Cleveland, Tennessee. Carl was the last surviving member of his original family. He was preceded in death by his parents, Fred and Josephine Humphrey and his two brothers and their wives: Fred and Carol Humphrey, Lynn and Pat Humphrey. Carl was a man of deep faith and a friend to all. Arrangements by Van Dyk- Duven Funeral Home. Online condolences may be made at www.vandykduven.com

It was Carl’s wishes that memorials be given for Central College, First Reformed Church or the Hospice of Pella Comfort House.

        

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