Carmen (Craig) Carda

Carmen Carda (Craig), 77, of Rodney, Iowa, passed away peacefully on Friday, October 4th, in Hilton Head Island, South Carolina. A devoted mother and cherished family member, Carmen’s warmth and kindness left an indelible mark on all who were fortunate enough to know her.

Born and raised in Iowa, Carmen took great pride in her role as a mother to her two daughters, Dawn Carda and Shelly Barkley. Her passion for baking was legendary; she delighted friends and family with her incredible treats and selflessly auctioned her baked goods to raise thousands of dollars for local children to attend Bible camp. Carmen's generosity and unwavering commitment to her community were a true reflection of her character.

Carmen enjoyed a successful career as a quality control inspector at IBP and Cloverleaf, where her meticulous nature and strong work ethic shone through in every task she undertook.

In her spare time, Carmen loved to be with the love of her life, Frank Carda Jr., with whom she shared 59 wonderful years of marriage. Together, they cherished moments spent dancing, camping, cooking, and creating lasting memories with family and friends.

Carmen is survived by her daughters, Shelly (Steve) Barkley of Sioux City, Iowa, and Dawn Carda of Richmond Hill, Georgia; five beloved grandchildren, including Morgan (Hunter) Turner of Ludowici, Georgia; Autumn Carda of Richmond Hill, Georgia; and Alex (Raven) Barkley, Erik (Sierra) Barkley, and Shay (Jazmin) Barkley, all of Sioux City, Iowa. She also leaves behind 12 cherished great-grandchildren: Hudson and Madilynn Turner of Ludowici, Georgia; Vincent, Sophia, Sawyer, Declan, Anthony, Franklin, Crew Barkley, Dean Barkley; Brynn and Randall Kirby, all of Sioux City, Iowa. Carmen is also survived by her two sisters, Beth Ryan of Rodney, Iowa, and Zella (Ray) Thomas of Rodney, Iowa; her brother Doug Craig (Marsha) of Mapleton, Iowa; and several nieces and nephews.

Carmen was preceded in death by her beloved husband, Frank Carda Jr.; her parents, Virgil and Margie Craig; her brother, Jim Craig; and her nephew, Michael Ryan.

Carmen's spirit will forever live on in the hearts of her family and friends. Her legacy of love, kindness, and community service will be remembered and cherished by all who knew her. A celebration of her life will be held on April 5th, 2025 at 2:00 pm at the Rodney Iowa Senior Center, 219 Main Street Rodney, Iowa 511051. Carmen's daughters will be present at the celebration of life.