Carol Leone (Adams) Riessen, one of seven children of Omer and Hattie (Fliss) Adams, was born on Christmas Eve, December 24, 1931, in Westport Township of Dickinson County, Iowa. She spent her youth in the Ocheyedan and Spirit Lake, Iowa, areas where she attended school, graduating from Spirit Lake High School with the class of 1949.
Carol was united in marriage to Dean Irvin Riessen on August 16, 1969, at St. John’s Lutheran Church in May City, Iowa.
Over the years, Carol had been employed by Northwestern Bell Telephone Company at various locations in Iowa including Spirit Lake, Estherville, Sheldon, and Spencer. She had also worked at AT&T, House of Dorale and D C Toy Trucks all in Spencer.
Along with keeping her household in order, Carol loved to curl up with a good book or spend time working on ceramic projects. There would usually be a wonderful aroma coming from the kitchen after Carol pulled something fresh from the oven – not only was she adept at baking but was an excellent cook as well. She had been a member of the Methodist Church, Telephone Pioneers and had participated in their various events.
On Tuesday, September 15, 2026, Carol passed from this life at Community Memorial Health Center in Hartley, Iowa, at the age of 94 years, 8 months, and 21 days. She now joins loved ones who have gone before: her parents, Omer and Hattie Adams; three sisters, Joyce (Delbert) Sittler, Shirley (Robert) Raabe and Nyla Anderson; and three brothers, Kenneth Adams, Wayne (Babe) Adams and Dale Adams.
Left to cherish her memory are her husband, Dean Riessen of Spencer, Iowa; her beloved niece and nephews, Dennis Sittler, LeRoy Raabe, Darla Sittler, Rodney Raabe, Charles K. Anderson, Michael Anderson, Robert Anderson, and Floyd Anderson; other relatives and friends.
A Celebration of Life funeral service was held on Friday, September 25, 2026, at the Hartley Funeral Home Chapel in Hartley, Iowa, with Pastor Chris Nitzel officiating. Special musical selections included the songs of praise “On Eagle’s Wings,” “Amazing Grace,” and “How Great Thou Art.” Serving as pallbearers were LeRoy Raabe, Rodney Raabe, Charles K. Anderson, Michael Anderson, Robert Anderson, Floyd Anderson, and Dave Lehner, with honorary pallbearers Dennis Sittler, Darla Sittler, Jim Fliss, Mark Riessen, and Ed Kinsley. Carol will be laid to rest at Pleasant View Cemetery in Hartley, Iowa.
