Carolyn Northway

Carolyn Kay Northway, 84, of Des Moines, passed away on January 29, 2024, 4 months after suffering a debilitating stroke.

Carolyn was born on June 27, 1939, to Grant and Viola McReynolds. She graduated from Runnells High School in 1958.

During high school, she met Fred Northway, and they wed on July 25, 1958, going on to have two sons, Kerry and Steve.

When Carolyn gave birth to Kerry, she dedicated her life to being a fantastic and wonderful mother. She and Fred supported their sons' in their athletic pursuits and hosted many friend gatherings at their home. She was an excellent home cook and loved entertaining friends, family, and visiting guests with her down-home, Iowa cuisine. Fred and Carolyn became avid antique collectors, restoring many of the pieces they found at yard sales and auctions.

Carolyn eventually went to work in the kitchen at Southeast Polk High School and later became the head cook. After retiring from the school, she started a cleaning business and had many loyal clients over the years.

Fred and Carolyn were very active in their local church youth ministry when their boys were young. They were members at Adelphi Baptist Church and later at Grandview Park Baptist Church and Altoona Regular Baptist Church.

Fred and Carolyn enjoyed taking their grandsons on camping trips, near and far. For several years, they spent many weekends helping their oldest grandson, Zach, with his auction and food truck businesses. In her later years, Carolyn loved spending time with her granddaughter, Grace, and her dog, Rudy. She loved helping people and will be greatly missed by her many friends and family.

Carolyn was preceded in death by her parents, Grant and Viola McReynolds, her husband, Fred, her sister, Delores Sloan, her brothers, Billy and Robert McReynolds, and daughter-in-law, Karen Northway.

She is survived by: son Kerry (Kristi) Northway, grandson Zach (Ashley) and great grandchildren: Trinity, Alexa, Noah, and Nolan, grandsons Benjamin and Levi, granddaughters, Hannah, Sarah, and Elisabeth, son Steve Northway, grandson Grant (Kara) and great grandson, Brooks, and granddaughter, Grace Northway. She is also survived by her beloved pet dog, Rudy.

Visitation will be held at NewLife Church, 6036 NE 12th Ave., Pleasant Hill, on Wednesday, Feb 7 from 5:00 – 7:00PM. A private funeral and burial will be held at a later date.