Jo Ellen Carpenter

Jo Ellen Carpenter, 88, of Carrollton, Texas, passed away Feb. 25, 2023, at Avalon Memory Care Center in Carrollton. 

A memorial service will be held at a later date. Those that wish to make memorial contributions in Jo Ellen’s honor, may dedicate those to the Music Man Square, 308 S. Pennsylvania Ave., Mason City, Iowa 50401. 

Jo Ellen was born April 17, 1934, in Clear Lake at home on South 3rd St., to Lester and Elizabeth (Dull) Hanson. She attended school in Clear Lake to first grade. She and her family moved to Ventura where she grew up. Jo Ellen graduated from Ventura High School with the class of 1953. She was united in marriage to William J. Wilson and their union was blessed with two children, Steve and Linda. In 1989, she left Texas to return to Iowa. She was united in marriage to Ronald Carpenter on Nov. 22, 1998, at the Little Brown Church near Nashua, Iowa. He had two sons, Tracy and Randy Carpenter. 

Jo Ellen was a member of the Congregational Church in Clear Lake. She was very active with Music Man Square in Mason City and helped to raise funds for children needing band instruments with events where she would sing with the ladies group, “Pick a Little Ladies.” She loved helping with these events. As a former band queen herself, she helped organize periodic band queen festivals for Ventura High School, as well as, the class reunions with her fellow 1953 graduates. Jo Ellen loved arts and crafts of all sorts and cooking and baking. 

Jo Ellen is survived by her children, Steve (Penny) Wilson and Linda (Wayne) Overstreet; step-son, Randy (Candy) Carpenter; grandchildren, Stephanie (Brandon) Bridges and Daniel (Madeline) Overstreet; step-grandchildren, Lauren Carpenter and Chad (Lauren) Carpenter; sister, Joyce (Richard) Stille; as well as many beloved friends and extended family. 

Jo Ellen was preceded in death by her husband, Ronald; parents, Lester and Elizabeth; and siblings, Bonnie Hanson, Wendell “Hook” Hanson, David Hanson, Betty Blick, and Larry Hanson. 

Ward Van Slyke Colonial Chapel, Clear Lake, was in charge of arrangements.