Margaret "Carol" Scieszinski

Margaret “Carol” Scieszinski, age 90, of Albia, Iowa, passed away on Thursday, August 27, 2026, at the Comfort House in Pella, IA. Carol was born on February 16, 1936, at home in Melrose, IA, to Paul and Margaret (Barry) Hannam. She grew up attending school in Melrose and graduated with the Class of 1954. On May 29, 1954, she was united in marriage to Bernard Raymond Scieszinski. Carol and Bernard were blessed with 2 children, Mary and Barry, and shared nearly 60 years of marriage prior to Bernard’s passing on March 31, 2014. Carol worked at Montgomery Ward before working as a bookkeeper at Chamberlains. She later worked for the Albia Schools. Her most treasured role was that of a homemaker, staying at home to raise her children. Carol was a member of St. Patrick’s Church in Melrose and later of St. Mary’s Church in Albia. She was also a member of St. Mary’s Church in Pella for 5 years. In their younger years, she enjoyed dancing and going to movies with Bernard. She was well known for her delicious potato glazed donuts, which were always a favorite. Carol also enjoyed sewing and embroidering and loved gathering around the table for a game of cards, especially pitch and euchre. Family was everything to Carol. She never missed a sporting event involving her grandchildren and cherished every opportunity to babysit each generation of her family-grandchildren, great grandchildren, and great-great grandchildren. The time she spent surrounded by those she loved is what she treasured most. Carol is survived by a daughter, Mary Murphy of Albia; a son, Barry (Sheryl) Scieszinski of Pella; 4 grandchildren, Lynn (Mike) Beard of Albia, Becky (Mike) Teno of Melrose, Jeff (Krista) Scieszinski of Des Moines, and Cathy (Daniel) Ray of Pella; great grandchildren, Emerald (Wyatt) Garmon, Tyler (Rachel Liercke) Beard, Alexandria (Joe Fanning), Jack (Bailea) Teno, Joe (Abbey) Teno, Jacob (Erica Robinson) Teno, Connor Ray, Owen Ray, Callie Scieszinski, Mackenzie Scieszinski, and Stella Scieszinski; 5 great-great grandchildren, Lucas, Blakeley, Tillie, and Tatum Garmon and Fenton Teno; a sister, Bette Papich; and a brother, Barry (Sherry) Hannam. Carol is also survived by several nieces, nephews, cousins, and good friends. She is preceded in death by her husband, Bernard; her parents, Paul and Margaret Hannam; a grandson in infancy, Billy Murphy; a sister, Pauline McDowell; and 2 brothers-in-law, Danny Papich and Llyod McDowell. Visitation will be held from 12:00 p.m.-5:00 p.m. on Sunday, August 30, 2026, at the Tharp Funeral Home in Albia with Carol’s family present to greet family and friends. Visitation will open with a Rosary at 12:00 p.m. A Mass of Christian Burial will be held at 10:30 a.m. on Monday, August 31, 2026, at St. Mary’s Catholic Church in Albia, with Father Isaac Essel officiating. Burial will follow services at Mt. Calvary Cemetery in Melrose. Memorials have been established to the Comfort House in Pella and Homestead in Albia.

Margaret "Carol" Scieszinski

February 16, 1936 - August 27, 2026