In Memory of Carol Elizabeth Bresnahan

Carol Elizabeth Bresnahan, age 59, of Ida Grove, Iowa, passed away, Thursday, August 21, 2025, at her home surrounded by her family.  

A Mass of Christian Burial will be held at 10:30 a.m., Friday, August 29, 2025, at the Sacred Heart Catholic Church of Ida Grove, Iowa. Father William A. McCarthy and Father Richard D. Ball will officiate. Committal Services will follow in the Sacred Heart Catholic Cemetery of Ida Grove, Iowa.

A Visitation will be held from 4:00 p.m. to 7:00 p.m., with a Vigil Service at 7:00 p.m., Thursday, August 28, 2025, at the Sacred Heart Catholic Church of Ida Grove, Iowa.

In lieu of flowers, memorials may be directed to the family and will be used to honor Carol’s memory in meaningful ways.

The Christensen-Van Houten Funeral Home of Ida Grove, Iowa, is in charge of the funeral arrangements.  Condolences may be sent online at www.christensenvanhouten.com

Carol Elizabeth Bresnahan entered the world on Christmas Day 1965. A fitting arrival for someone who would bring such joy to everyone she met. Born in her parents’ cozy home in Streator, Illinois, Carol was the daughter of Conrad and Josephine (Waller) Hampton. Even as a little girl, there was a spark about her, the kind that hinted she was born to lead, to love deeply, and to live life to its fullest. 

Her early childhood in Illinois was full of laughter and exploration, but it was in Iowa, where the Hamptons eventually settled in Ida Grove, that Carol truly came into her own. With a basketball in one hand, or a catcher’s mitt and her thousand-watt smile on her face, she quickly became a friend to many and a force in everything she did. Sports, friendships, school spirit, Carol didn’t just participate, she showed up with her heart and soul.

As a freshman at Ida Grove High School, she met Ron Bresnahan and that meeting would change both of their lives forever. High school sweethearts turned lifelong soulmates, their love story was the kind people admire from afar. Carol, class president and homecoming queen, and Ron, the steady hand beside her, were inseparable. She graduated in 1984 with a diploma in one hand and a dream in the other and shortly after, the two were married in the Sacred Heart Catholic Church, beginning a partnership built on love, laughter, and unshakable loyalty. 

Carol’s journey into motherhood with their two sons, Devin and Drew, was nothing short of her greatest joy. She poured her energy, her fierce love, and her sense of wonder into raising them. Coaching youth athletics, cheering from the sidelines, and being the heartbeat of every family moment. She didn’t just raise children, she raised good men, and anyone who knows her sons can see her strength and warmth in them.

Professionally, Carol was ambitious and hard-working. She started as a CNA at the local nursing home, transitioned to Pamida Pharmacy, and later moved on to VT Industries as an Estimator. However, she found her true calling at United Bank of Iowa in 1994. What began as a teller position soon blossomed into a career of influence and respect, culminating in her role as Vice President of Bookkeeping and a seat on the Board of Directors. Carol never just “had a job”. She built relationships, mentored others, and brought light into every meeting and hallway she entered. She was an instrumental part of building and growing their family business, Bresnahan Well Drilling, alongside Ron for the last three decades. Carol gave back to her community through service, leadership, and time, serving on the local School Board, United Bank of Iowa Board of Directors, ISI Board, and through various volunteer activities. 

Carol was magnetic. Her laugh, unmistakable and infectious, could change the mood of a room in an instant. Her friendships were deep, loyal, and lifelong. She lived by a simple truth: show up, care deeply, give freely. Whether she was volunteering on a board, coaching a team, planning a community event, or spending time with family, she brought her whole heart. 

She enjoyed health and wellness, an adventure in everyday life, good times with old friends and new, and always made time for family. Her greatest treasures were her grandchildren, whom she adored beyond measure. Every giggle, every hug, every tiny milestone was tucked away in Carol’s heart like the priceless gems they were.

Those left to carry on her legacy are her devoted husband of 40 years, Ron Bresnahan of Ida Grove, IA; beloved sons Devin Bresnahan of Omaha, NE, and Drew (Katie) Bresnahan of Ida Grove, IA; her cherished grandchildren: Avery, Nora, and Liam Bresnahan and one on the way; brothers Michael Hampton of Ames, IA; Mark Hampton of Minnesota; Greg Hampton of Oklahoma; and Phillip (Leticia) Hampton of California; sisters Lisa (David) Urffer of Georgia; and Krista (Marc) Kollbaum of Missouri; numerous nieces, nephews, extended family and a host of dear friends. 

Carol was preceded in death by her parents Conrad and Josephine Hampton; son Justin Bresnahan; and brother Scott Hampton.