Margaret Vermillion

Margaret Vermillion, 91, of Carroll, Iowa, formerly of Atlantic, died Wednesday, February 21, 2024, at Addington Place of Carroll. 

Margaret was born in 1932, in Audubon, Iowa to James Murray and Thelma (Kempf) Murray.  Together with her two older brothers, Robert and Charles, Margaret enjoyed life on a farm near Audubon. On June 30, 1957, she married Forrest Dean Vermillion. Their devotion to each other shone all 43 years of their life together. Before their four kids were born, Margaret worked as a receptionist in an optometrist’s office and a newspaper office, both in Audubon. Dean and Margaret spent many busy happy years in Atlantic, where they raised their four children. She also thoroughly enjoyed spending time with her four grandchildren and loved them dearly. She was always so proud of their accomplishments too.

In her thirties, Margaret experienced two life-altering events. Her mother and brothers were killed in a car accident and her eldest son, Jim, was diagnosed with several disabilities. She and Dean worked tirelessly to make life better for him and other children with intellectual disabilities. Margaret took pride in her delicious cooking and baking and in working hard so that her children could make the most of their education. She was also a “church lady” extraordinaire at SS Peter and Paul Catholic Church: a catechism teacher, a longtime member of Catholic Daughters, and a stalwart contributor to their bake sales. Some of her last words besides “I love you,” were “I like to keep things simple.”

Margaret is survived by her four children: Mary Vermillion (Ben) of Iowa City, Kathy McCarthy (Greg) of Sioux City, Jim Vermillion of Lake City, and Joe Vermillion of Carroll. Also surviving are her four amazing grandchildren—Megan (Court), Ryan, Abigail, and Molly McCarthy—a loving niece, Janette Vermillion of Shenandoah, and several loving nephews, cousins, friends, and caregivers.

She was preceded in death by her husband, Forrest Dean Vermillion; her parents, Thelma and James Murray; her brothers, Charles and Robert Murray; her beloved grandparents; and other beloved relatives and friends.

Margaret’s family thanks the staff of Addington Place and Gentiva Hospice for their loving care.

Visitation with the family present will begin at 9:30 a.m., Monday, February 26, 2024, at Roland Funeral Home in Atlantic.  A Prayer service will follow the visitation starting at 10:30 a.m., Monday, at the funeral home officiated by Father Bradley Robey of SS Peter and Paul Catholic Church.  Burial will be in the SS Peter and Paul Catholic Cemetery, followed by lunch at the funeral home.

In lieu of flowers, please honor Margaret by donating to opportunityliving.org.

Roland Funeral Service is caring for Margaret's family and her arrangements.   Condolences may be left at www.rolandfuneralservice.com.