Ruth King "Carol" Sovern

Ruth "Carol" King Sovern, age 92, of Albia, IA, passed away on Monday, August 19, 2024, at the Monroe County Hospital in Albia.
Carol was born in Rockford, Illinois in 1932 to J.E. and Helen King. She graduated from Albia High School in 1950 then attended Grinnell College where she graduated four years later with a bachelors degree in education. While teaching in Battle Creek, Michigan she met Elmer Sovern, Jr. They married in 1958 and she became the immediate stepmother to Mary, Robert, Alice, William and Richard. In 1972 the couple moved to Albia where Elmer ran Behnke's Famous Friers. Before that he had worked in the cereal industry traveling to England, Trinidad and Australia. Carol happily accompanied him learning all she could about the countries.
Carol was an accomplished soprano sharing her talent at churches and civic groups. She was a 50-year member of AAUW and had years with bank directors traveling to seminars across the nation. A member of Trinity Methodist Church found her active in UMW, the choir and Bible Study. There was also The Albia Women's Club and the DAR.
She was preceded in death by her parents, husband, brother James, and sons William and Richard. She's survived by children Robert, Mary, and Alice, 12 grandchildren and 19 great grandchildren. The family extends its thanks to the caregivers in her later years, especially Deanna Smith.
A memorial service will be held at 1:00 p.m. on Saturday, April 12, 2025, at the Albia Trinity Church with Pastor Roger Henry officiating. A High Tea will follow services at the Albia Tea Parlor followed by burial at Oakview Cemetery in Albia.
A memorial has been established to the Albia Trinity Church.