Carl Lilly Obituary
Publish in a newspaper
Carl grew up at Afton with a strong work ethic. He farmed in addition to working several years at a quarry between Winterset and Greenfield.
Carl married Barbara Kenagy and to this marriage, five children were born: Rick, Randy, Riley, Ron, and Roxanne.
Carl moved into Shannon City in the early 1980's. In the early 2000's, Carl met Elaine Boyer and after teaching her to dance, they enjoyed going to country music jams, listening to music and dancing together. Carl & Elaine enjoyed sharing their time, families and home together. Elaine's family welcomed Carl into their family.
Carl loved animals. He had horses, sheep to mention a few. He would tend to the animals even while living in Mount Ayr. Carl's love for horses led him to try and break horses into his 60's. Elaine passed away on October 15, 2019.
Carl became a resident of Mount Ayr Health Care Center where he passed away on September 1, 2025. He was preceded in death by his parents; two sons, Rick & Ron; and two brothers Art & Fred.
Survivors include his children Randy (Jodie) Lilly of Shannon City, IA, Riley (Debbie) Lilly of Pollock, MO, Roxanne (Rodney Ray) Dunning of Creston, IA; several grandchildren, great grandchildren, and great great grandchildren; Elaine's daughters and their families Ardis (Jeff) Dawson of Decatur and Debra (Gary) Saville of Mount Ayr; sisters-in-law Cheri Lilly of Afton, IA and Elaine Webb of Cromwell, IA; nieces, nephews, and friends.
Memorials are to EveryStep Hospice in Mount Ayr.
To plant a beautiful memorial tree in memory of Carl, please visit our Tree Store.
To plant trees in memory, please visit the Sympathy Store.
How you can show support
Send flowers
Consider sending flowers.
Add photos
Share their life with photo memories.
Plant trees
Honor them by planting trees in their memory.
Follow this page
Get email updates whenever changes are made.
Donate in Memory
Make a donation in memory of your loved one.
Share this page
Invite other friends and family to visit the page.
0 Entries
Be the first to post a memory or condolences.
205 West Monroe St, Mount Ayr, IA 50854
Make a Donation
in Carl Lilly's name
How to support Carl's loved ones
Honor a beloved veteran with a special tribute of ‘Taps’ at the National WWI Memorial in Washington, D.C.
The nightly ceremony in Washington, D.C. will be dedicated in honor of your loved one on the day of your choosing.
Read more
Should I Send Sympathy Flowers?
What kind of arrangement is appropriate, where should you send it, and when should you send an alternative?
Read more
What Should I Write in a Sympathy Card?
We'll help you find the right words to comfort your family member or loved one during this difficult time.
Read moreResources to help you cope with loss
Estate Settlement Guide
If you’re in charge of handling the affairs for a recently deceased loved one, this guide offers a helpful checklist.
Read more
Obituaries, grief & privacy: Legacy’s news editor on NPR podcast
Legacy's Linnea Crowther discusses how families talk about causes of death in the obituaries they write.
Read more
The Five Stages of Grief
They're not a map to follow, but simply a description of what people commonly feel.
Read moreWays to honor Carl Lilly's life and legacy
Obituary Examples
You may find these well-written obituary examples helpful as you write about your own family.
Read more
Obituary Templates – Customizable Examples and Samples
These free blank templates make writing an obituary faster and easier.
Read more
How Do I Write a Eulogy?
Some basic help and starters when you have to write a tribute to someone you love.
Read more
