Carol Joy Tiller

Carol Joy Tiller, 86, of Fort Dodge, Iowa, passed away Thursday August 20, 2026, surrounded by her family after a brief battle with cancer.

Carol requested no public services, but instead, would like for the family to gather together to share stories and happy memories at a later time.

Carol is survived by her children, Tamara (Shawn "her favorite") Grossnickle of Fort Dodge, Sarah (Ray) Kerridge of Vancouver, WA, and Jack (Dale Gaskill) Tiller of Vancouver, WA. She is also survived by her grandchildren, Emily Kerridge, James (Lillian) Kerridge, Riley Tiller, Michael Tiller, Tony Mills, Zach Anderson, Thomas Anderson (Shi Yong Gsy), Hope Anderson, Reigan Grossnickle (Trice Jakeman), great grandchild, Cameron Kerridge, and so many cousins and life-long friends.

Carol was preceded in death by her husband, Harry, son, Fred, and her parents, Clarence and Elta (Kruskop) Dettmann.

Carol Joy Dettmann was born on July 19, 1940, in Carroll, Iowa. She was raised on a farm near Lytton; a place that she truly loved and held beautiful memories. After graduating high school, she attended Iowa State University, where she received her teaching degree in special education. On June 8, 1964, she was united in marriage to Harry Tiller, and the couple made their home in Council Bluffs, Iowa. Carol was a special education teacher at Abraham Lincoln High School, where she built so many close friendships and created a lifetime of memories. She retired in the early 2000's and because she could not completely break free would substitute at her high school for a couple more years. When Harry passed, she decided to move to Fort Dodge to be closer to her grandchildren, where she would attend many of their activities and sporting events.
In her free time, Carol loved to garden and sew, skills she picked up from her mother when growing up on the farm. She was an
excellent cook, and enjoyed big dinners with her family. Her most favorite thing to do was watching Iowa State football, but on occasion you could find
her cheering on the Hawkeyes as two of her grandsons attended college at the University of Iowa. On the weekends, you would often find her TV tuned in to football focused on the teams her family members favored. Carol enjoyed her retirement years and would often be found volunteering her time at Jennie Edmundson Hospital in Council Bluffs, and later, Friendship Haven, Trinity Regional Medical Center, The Lord's Cupboard, and St. Paul's after school program
Her favorite things were spending time traveling with Harry, attending many of their grandchildren's events, and walking the Omaha Zoo. Carol genuinely loved her time living in the townhomes at Friendship Haven; she forged amazing friendships and gained incredible neighbors.
She was a member of St. Olaf Lutheran Church.

Carol's family would like to give their heartfelt gratitude to the staff at Friendship Haven and Unity Point Hospice. They provided her with the best care and overwhelming kindness.

Memorials may be left to the discretion of the family.