Carolyn Estelle Gill, 92 of Jesup and formerly of Fairbank, passed away at her home on June 1, 2026. She was born on August 29, 1933, in Cedar Rapids the daughter of Millard and Betty (Haley) Keith.
Carolyn graduated from Iowa State Teachers College in Cedar Falls, Iowa. She went on to dedicate 30 years of her life to education, teaching Amish students in grades kindergarten through eighth grade at Prairie Grove, a one-room schoolhouse. Her commitment to her students left a lasting mark on the community.
She was united in marriage to Jack Gill in La Porte City, Iowa. They were married for 36 years and together they built a life and family that would grow for generations.
In her later years, Carolyn enjoyed diamond art and embroidering quilts for her grandchildren. She loved visiting casinos and trying her luck at the slots, and looked forward to luncheons with her beloved Red Hat Lady friends. An avid sports fan, she cheered passionately for the Iowa Hawkeyes and the Kansas City Chiefs, and loved watching all of their games.
Carolyn is survived by her children: Steve (Linda) Gill of Denver, IA; Lynn Plaster of Fairbank, IA; Mike (Kim) Gill of La Porte City, IA; Dan (Martha) Gill of Storm Lake, IA; Patrick Gill of Jesup, IA; John (Barbara) Gill of Marshalltown, IA; and Joe (Mollie) Gill of Janesville, WI.
She is also survived by 17 grandchildren: Brittany Fuller, Breanna Geweke, Betsy Wierck, Jessica Jeanes, Jarred Plaster, Hollie Bunz, Chad Gill, Miranda Montgomery, Christopher Gill, Kyle Gill, Alyssa Gill, Emily Gill, Zachary Gill, Samantha Schulte, Alec Gill, Grant Gill, and Gavin Gill; 32 great-grandchildren; and 1 great-great-grandchild. She is also survived by her sister, Mary Jo (Bob) Lucas.
Carolyn was preceded in death by her husband, Jack; an infant son, Christopher; her mother and father; her daughter-in-law, Carol Gill; her granddaughter, Brenda Gill; and her son-in-law, Jerry Plaster.
Prayer Service: 4:00 PM Friday June 5th at Woods Funeral Home.
Visitation: 4:30-7:00 PM Friday June 5th at Woods Funeral Home.
Interment: Immaculate Conception Cemetery at a later date.
Memorials may be directed to the family for later designation.