Carmen L. Lovell

Carmen L. Lovell, age 90, of Ankeny, Iowa, passed away peacefully on Saturday, July 19, 2025, at the Bridges of Ankeny.

Carmen was born on January 12, 1935, in Collins, Iowa, to Edgar and Margaret (Holmes) Accola. She graduated from Slater High School and went on to have a long and fulfilling career with the Iowa State Auditor's Office, a place she fondly referred to as her second home.

After retirement, Carmen and her husband enjoyed traveling—spending their winters in Mission, Texas, and returning to Iowa each spring to be with family and friends. Carmen had a deep love of nature and especially enjoyed bird watching, with a particular fascination for eagles. She was known for capturing beautiful photographs of wildlife and sharing them generously. She also found great joy in gardening, decorating, and feeding the squirrels that visited her yard.

Carmen is survived by her loving husband, David Lovell of Ankeny; her children: Rick (Leyda) Herron of Des Moines, Brian (Jennifer) Herron of Ankeny, and Brock Herron (LuAnne Gibson) of Slater; her stepdaughter Kimberly Simmer of Polk City; many grandchildren and great-grandchildren; and her sister, Rowena (Nels) Nord of Huxley.

She was preceded in death by her parents, Edgar and Margaret Accola; her stepsons, Kirk and David Lovell; and her sister, Sharon Zagar.

Carmen’s legacy of kindness, her love of nature, and her devotion to family will be fondly remembered and deeply missed by all who knew her.