Carol K. Major

Carol K. Major

1938 – 2024

DES MOINES - Carol Kay Major passed away March 30, 2024 at Luther Park Trinity Center in Des Moines.

The family will have a private interment at a later date. You may honor Kay’s memory by making a donation to the Animal Rescue League of Des Moines.

Kay was born Aug. 2, 1938 in Holstein to Wendell H. Conover and Marian H. (Munz) Conover.

After graduating from Holstein High School, Kay attended Morningside College in Sioux City where she received her BA degree in teaching. Kay also received a Master of Science in Education degree from Drake University. Kay taught 35 years in the Des Moines Public School District to 4th, 5th, and 6th graders in regular classrooms and also within self-contained classrooms teaching academically talented students. She served as assistant principal for part of her career. Kay ended her career teaching 4th graders at Des Moines Jefferson Elementary’s Traditional School.  Following retirement, Kay worked part-time at the Urbandale Library for several years.

Kay met Bill in Des Moines and they were married July 23, 1961 in the Little Brown Church in the Vale, Nashua, Iowa. They resided in Urbandale, Iowa their entire lives. Kay was especially interested in raising and showing Dandie Dinmont Terriers of which she received championships on four dogs. After her dog showing career, Kay and Bill graduated to rescuing dogs of any breed and providing them a loving home.

Kay and Bill also hosted foreign exchange students (eight in total) from Germany, Italy, France, Turkey and Hungary. They enjoyed providing each student a loving home and a year of education at Urbandale High School.  

Kay is survived by her sisters Dorothy Johnston, Waconia, Minnesota and Kathryn Grell (Dennis) Altoona, Iowa, her sister-in-law Marie Conover of Lincoln, Nebraska, and her brother, Marion Conover (Bonnie) of Adel, Iowa, and numerous nieces and nephews. Kay was preceded in death by her parents, husband William (Bill) V. Major, sister Shirley Rickard and brother Wendell D. Conover.