Carol Ruth Doherty was born June 4, 1953 in Canton, South Dakota, the daughter of John "Jack" and Jennie (Smidstra) VandeWeerd. She was raised in Rock Valley, IA and attended Rock Valley Community Schools. She graduated in 1971 and continued her education at Stewarts Beauty School in Sioux Falls, SD.
Carol was united in marriage to Dennis Doherty on June 15, 1974 at St. Mary's Catholic Church in Larchwood, IA. They moved to a farm between Inwood and Larchwood, where they were blessed with five children. Carol was a beautician her entire working life and also worked as custodian at West Lyon Community School. She provided her care for several nursing homes in area for many years.
She was a member of St. Mary's Catholic Church in Larchwood, member of the Flessner American Legion Post No. 561 Women's Auxiliary in Larchwood, and S.A.LU.T.E. organization. She enjoyed camping, crocheting, sewing, attending school activities and most of all spending time with her grandchildren. She also enjoyed family gatherings at her home and visiting with family and friends on the porch.
She is survived by her husband of 43 years, Dennis Doherty of Inwood, IA; four children, Sandra (Alvin) Knobloch of Alvord, IA, Perry Doherty of Larchwood, IA, Corey (JoDelle) Doherty of Yankton, SD and LeeAnn (Andrew) Reichert of Doon, IA; fifteen grandchildren; brothers and sisters, John (Noreen) VandeWeerd of Orange City, IA, Gloria (Brad) Koele of Moville, IA, Gary (Elaine) VandeWeerd of Sioux Center, IA, Tom (Jody) VandeWeerd of Rock Rapids, IA; step-siblings, Ron (Helen) VandeWeerd of Jacksonville, FL, Al (Emilie) VandeWeerd of Sac City, IA and Rod Kooima of Inwood, IA; brothers-in-law and sisters-in-law, (Pat) Dave Mansmith of Hartland, WI, Jane Stockwell of Hartford, SD, Roy (Sharell) Doherty of Larchwood, IA, Colleen (Grant) Kirkholm of Inwood, IA and Cletus Doherty of Sioux Falls, SD; special aunt, Rose Van Kley of Grandview, Michigan; and many other extended family.
She was preceded in death by her infant son, Travis Lee Doherty; parents, John "Jack" and Jennie VandeWeerd; step-mother, Alice VandeWeerd; parent in-laws, Donald "Bud" and Lucile Doherty; sister, Sharon VandeWeerd; step-siblings, Bonnie Kooima and Dorothy and Henry Sage; brother-in-law, Jim Doherty; great-nephew, Kyle VandeWeerd; great-niece, Sara Doherty; and special uncle and aunt Reinhardt and Adeline Jensen.