Carla Cossairt, 83
Carla Mae Renner Cossairt, 83, of Red Oak, died Monday, Sept. 3, 2012, at the Red Oak Rehabilitation and Care Center.
Carla was born to Dale Lester and Mabel Roseberry Renner Sept. 12, 1928, in Lincoln, Neb. She graduated from the Columbus, Neb., High School in 1946 and attended the University of Nebraska at Lincoln where she graduated with a Bachelors of Arts and Science Degree in 1950. During her junior year at UNL, Carla was voted Men's Dorm Queen.
Carla married Keith Richard Cossairt Sept. 10, 1950, in Norfolk, Neb. Keith and Carla moved to Dayton, Ohio in 1950 and Carla worked on her Master’s of Science Degree in Guidance at Miami University. Then they moved to Florida where Carla received her Master’s Degree in Guidance and Counseling from Rollins College in Winter Park in 1966.
In 1967, the family moved back to Lincoln where Carla continued her graduate studies.
She moved to Red Oak in 1972, where she served as a regional community schools psychologist until 1999 when she retired.
Carla was involved in many community activities including being board chairman for West Central Development Corporation for three years, president of the Association of Retarded Citizens of AEA 14, served as chairman of Interagency of Human Services through Iowa State Extension, member of the Headstart Policy Council, member of Altrusa International where she served as chairman of many committees, volunteered for Parents As Teachers, served as Docent for the Montgomery County History Center, volunteered with the Southwest Iowa Latino Center as a tutor for English as a second language and volunteered with the Red Oak Public Library for many years. Carla also enjoyed making purchases to donate to charitable organizations.
Carla is preceded in death by her parents and her son, Curtis Dale Cossairt.
Survivors include her daughters, Kathy Lynn Cossairt, of Lincoln, and Carol Lee Cossairt Bellairs, of Clarinda; grandchildren, Rachel Bellairs, of Tochigi City, Japan, and Jameson Bellairs, of Clarinda; brother, Thomas (JoAnn) Renner, of Carmel, Ind.; and many other relatives and friends.
A celebration of life service will take place at 11 a.m., Saturday, Sept. 15, at the First Christian Church with Rev. JoAnn Thomas officiating. Inurnment will take place at a later date in the Lincoln Memorial Park in Lincoln.
In lieu of flowers memorials are suggested to the Red Oak Public Library. Nelson-Boylan-LeRette Funeral Chapel is in charge of arrangements.