Carol Jo Thompson

Carol Jo Thompson passed away on September 5, 2025. She was born on August 18, 1944, in Des Moines, Iowa to Ralph Sr. and Mildred Reasoner. She and her family lived on the east side of Des Moines.

Carol graduated from East High School in 1962. She worked at the Iowa State Traveling Library as well as the Des Moines Police Department. She received her bachelor’s degree in education from Drake University and later returned to complete her master’s degree. Carol was a loved and respected teacher in many Des Moines schools teaching grades K-3 and reading for grades K-5.

Carol enjoyed square and round dancing (she held various offices in the Merry Mixers, Central Iowa Federation, and the Iowa State Federation), reading, crossword puzzles, movies (The Sound of Music was her favorite), gambling at Prairie Meadows, and music (her favorite musician was Daniel O’Donnell).

Carol was preceded in death by her grandparents, Venita and Joseph Carroll, and Irma and Arthur Reasoner; her parents, Ralph Sr. and Mildred Reasoner; son, Jason who died at the age of 12 with a degenerative neurological condition; ex-husband, Larry Thompson; younger brother, Ralph Jr.; and longtime square dance partner, Dale Hicks.

She is survived by her niece, Michelle Hewlett (Ralph Jr.’s daughter) and Michelle’s sisters who were her “adopted” nieces, Marie Bougher, Marlene Burch, and Martha Carre and their families, and her good friend, Jo Saffell.

Visitation will be held from 10:00 a.m. to 11:00 a.m., followed by funeral services at 11:00 a.m., Monday, September 15, 2025, at Hamilton’s Funeral Home, 605 Lyon Street, Des Moines. Burial will take place at Rising Sun Cemetery after the funeral service.

In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to the American Heart Association or to the American Cancer Society.

Carol will be remembered for her kind, compassionate nature, her love for her family, and her passion for teaching. She will be missed.

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