Karol Jean Pinney

Karol Jean Pinney, 85, passed away Monday, February 9, 2026, at Thomas Grove Assisted Living and Memory Care. A private graveside service with immediate family will be held at Riverside Cemetery with Pastor Rodney Bluml officiating. A celebration of life will be held at a later date.
Karol was born April 2, 1940, to Woodrow and Lillian (Nelson) Hyde in Clermont, Iowa. She grew up on a farm; at a young age she learned the value of hard work. She worked in the fields and milked cows by hand. Karol graduated from Valley High School in Clermont, Iowa in 1958. She married the love of her life, Paul Pinney, on October 25, 1958, in Clermont, and later moved to Anamosa, Iowa where they settled down. Karol did daycare in her home for over 30 years and made a lasting impact on all the children she cared for.
She enjoyed playing golf, dancing, cooking and entertaining guests. No one went hungry when they visited her house and you were in luck if there was a loaf of homemade dilly bread on the table. It was one of her specialties to be enjoyed by all. In retirement she and Paul wintered in McAllen, Texas for 17 years where they met many new friends and had many lasting relationships. She was a long-time member of St. Paul's Lutheran Church in Anamosa.
Karol cared deeply for others and possessed a generous heart and will be truly missed by those who knew and loved her.
She is survived by her loving children, Colin (Sandra) Pinney, and Carlene (Gary) Vavricek; grandchildren, Christian Pinney, Kyle (Catherine) Vavricek, and Kurt (Sydney) Vavricek; great grandchildren, Korbin, Colton, and Cheyenne Vavricek, Jaxon and Kasey Vavricek; brother, Dean (Linda) Hyde; sister-in-law, Cheryl Clemmensen; along with many nieces and nephews.

Karol is preceded in death by her husband of 66 years, Paul Pinney, and her parents.
In lieu of flowers, memorials may be directed to the family where a donation will be given in Karol's name.
The family would like to thank the staff at Thomas Grove and Suncrest Hospice for the exceptional care and support given to Karol and her family. They would also like to thank special visitors Connie Trosky, Sheila and Juliana Ackerson.