Mary Louise (Poole) Carl, age 92, of Galena, IL, completed her earthly journey on October 12, 2026, at the Galena Stauss Nursing Home.  To honor Mary’s life, a private family service is being held.  The Tri-State Cremation Center is humbly serving Mary’s family.

Mary was born on December 10, 1933, in Harlan, Iowa, to her parents, Ralph and Alta (Line) Poole. She was their first child and later they had her brother, Bud. She also had several much older half siblings from her dad’s first marriage. Mary was very close to her father Ralph, who was both an inventor with several patented feed mixtures to improve the health of cattle which he sold. She inherited his strong mind and love for music. He was a composer also! Mary played both the piano and the flute. She encouraged her children appreciation and love for music by continually purchasing the latest popular records and allowing her children do the same.

She was her high school newspaper editor and valedictorian. She worked on her Bachelor’s in teaching while working as a well-respected executive secretary for Lockheed Martin, an aerospace company in Denver. After moving the family to Waterloo, Iowa, she received her Master’s degree while working full- time as a teacher. She was industrious in all ways and faithfully provided home cooked meals despite working full days.

She suffered from depression much of her life, but didn’t let it get in the way of her doing the things she wanted to do. She (along with her husband) purchased an RV and sold their home in Waterloo in order to travel throughout the U.S. She loved traveling, eventually wintering in a park model RV in Arizona and a lovely trailer on a lake in Bemidji, Minnesota in Spring/ Summer. She loved this life!

Mary will be lovingly remembered by,

her children,
Doug Carl, Jr., CO,
and Delight (Rev. Jim) McCrea, Galena, IL;

her adored grandchildren,
Amber McCrea, Austin McCrea, Adam Carl, Karena Carl and Chelsea Leming;

along with numerous extended family and friends.

Mary was preceded in death by her parents; her husband, Doug Carl; her daughter, Pam Leming; and her siblings.

Online condolences for Mary’s family may be left at www.tristatecremationcenter.com