Carol Hamilton, 66, Ames, Iowa
BOONE, Iowa—Carol J. (Rardin) Hamilton, age 66, of Ames, passed away Thursday, August 13, 2026, at Mary Greeley Medical Center in Ames. Carol was born December 26, 1959, in Boone, Iowa, to Harold and Joyce (Lang) Rardin. She attended school in Boone and graduated with the class of 1978 from Boone High School. She earned her Associate’s degree from DMACC Boone in 1980, and earned her LPN in 1981.
Carol began her nursing career at Mary Greeley Medical Center in the spring of 1981 in the Medical Telemetry Unit on 2 South/4C, where she remained until her retirement in December 2017. Following her retirement, she joined McFarland Clinic spending two years in the Endocrinology Unit, and five years in the Oncology Unit at the Bliss Cancer Center. She dedicated more than 43 years to helping others, and officially retired in December 2024.
Carol was united in marriage to Scott Hamilton on August 4, 1984 at First United Methodist Church in Boone. Together they built a life centered on family and welcomed two children, Garrett and Allison.
Carol was an avid shopper and looked forward each November to her annual trip to the Mall of America with friends. She loved traveling, especially cruises and time at the beach, enjoyed music and concerts, and collected Longaberger baskets and Byers’ Choice Carolers. Above all, Carol cherished her family. She never missed a chance to share how proud she was of her children and grandchildren, and found great joy in attending their activities and celebrating their accomplishments.
Carol was preceded in death by her parents, Harold and Joyce Rardin; her brothers, Michael and Randy; her sister, Janet Gatliff; and her in-laws, LeRoy and Joan Hamilton.
Carol is survived by her husband of 42 years, Scott Hamilton; her son Garrett (Shannon) Hamilton and their children, Parker and Peyton; and her daughter, Allison (Taylor) Fox and their children, Raegan and Carter.
Visitation will be held Tuesday, August 18th, 2026, from 5 to 7 p.m. at Schroeder-Reimers Memorial Chapel, 1006 6th Street, Boone. Funeral services will be held Wednesday, August 19th, 2026, at 10:30 a.m. at First United Methodist Church,703 Arden Street, Boone, with Rev. David Burling officiating. Burial will follow at Pilot Mound Cemetery in Pilot Mound, Iowa.
In lieu of flowers, memorials may be given to William R. Bliss Cancer Center, ATTN: Resource Boutique, 1111 Duff Avenue, Ames, IA 50010, (515) 239-2011.
Funeral arrangements are under the direction of the Schroeder-Reimers Memorial Chapel at Sixth and Marshall Streets in Boone. Online condolences may be left to Carol’s family at www.schroedermemorialchapel.com
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