SPARTA - Carol Jean McClain was born on May 4, 1938 to Edward and Dorothy Montague in Minneapolis, Minnesota. She had one sister and three brothers.
Carol married Duane McClain on October 20, 1956 and they celebrated 61 years together upon his death in 2017. Carol and Duane had a great life together, raising six wonderful children and caring for more. Together, they spent time running multiple local businesses, sharing a love of God and traveling the world. Carol’s family, children, grand and great-grandchildren gave her such incredible joy. She loved family holidays, especially the annual McClain family Christmas cookie event. She also was an advocate for retail therapy.
She was a mom, grandma and great grandmother to so many kids. She loved attending everything from dance recitals to hockey, basketball and football games. She was known for her selflessness and willingness to help others. Carol was a Boy Scout and Girl Scout leader and she taught Sunday School at Trinity for many years. She volunteered with Duane at the Ecumenical Food Pantry. She also helped at Rolling Hills and then with Duane again at The Morrow Home’s Meals in Motion.
Carol died on Friday, August 7, 2026, surrounded by family. She was 88 years old. She was preceded in death by her parents, her sister Pat and her husband Duane.
She is survived by her six children, Tim (Karen), Sandy (Steve), Mindy (Oliver), Angie (Pat), Michael (Terah), and Jennifer (Jorge); grandchildren, Tegan (Chris), Nyssa (Brian), Devin (Becky), Hector and Cordelia Tierno, Jaidyn, Evan and Jasper McClain; great grandchildren, Grace and Ethan Wise, Reese and Hayden McClain; brothers, Michael (Diane), Dick (Jackie) and Jerry, along with their and sister Pat’s children: in laws, Bill and Sherry McClain; her church family at St. John’s Episcopal and true friend Terry Feckett.
Carol’s life’s celebration will be held on September 5, 2026 from 1:00 p.m. until 5:00 p.m., at Lanham Schanhofer Funeral Home and Cremation, Sparta, with a 3:30 p.m. prayer service with Reverend Kathleen Charles officiating. The family owes a debt of thanks to Lanham-Schanhofer Funeral Home, Gretchen Abbott, Kris Hanson, Mayo Clinic Hospital in Sparta, Dr. Robert Ring, Nurse Jodie Doebbert and social worker Kindra Leis.
She will be remembered for her love of family, her sense of order, her kindness, her generosity and her sense of humor. She will be missed. Mom and Grandma, we love you.
Online condolences may be offered at www.schanhoferfh.com.
Lanham-Schanhofer Funeral Home and Cremation, Sparta, is assisting the family with arrangements.
Lanham-Schanhofer Funeral Home and Cremation
