Melvin Lee Carr, 75, of Keosauqua, IA passed away on Monday, July 21, 2025, at the University of Iowa Hospital in Iowa City, IA surrounded by his loving family. A service celebrating his life will begin at 11:00 a.m. on Saturday, July 26, 2025, at the Cranston Family Funeral Home in Keosauqua, IA with Rev. ellis andrews and Pastor Mary Kathryn Hart officiating. Cremation will take place following the service. Visitation will begin at 2:00 p.m. on Friday, July 25, 2025, at the Cranston Family Funeral Home in Keosauqua with the family present to greet friends from 5:00 p.m. until 7:00 p.m. Memorial contributions may be directed to the family to be used for a 4-H scholarship in Melvin’s honor. Friends may leave online condolences at www.cranstonfamilyfuneralhome.com.
Melvin Lee Carr was born May 10, 1950, at home to Orville and Marna (Thornburg) Carr. He was a loving husband, father, grandpa and brother. Melvin was an active dairy farmer milking jersey cows until July 1998. He continued to farm mainly haying and raising sheep and border collies. Melvin retired from raising sheep, selling his herd in January of 2024. He continued raising and training border collies and using them in the herd and on the farm. Even though he retired he continued to help his grandson Scott and wife Abby with the farm. Melvin was living life to the fullest either on the farm, at the sale barn or watching grandchildren or great grandchildren with their activities.
His legacy will be continued by his wife, Sharon Carr; three daughters, Missy Rotenburger of Trenton, IA, Mary Jane (Alton) Mast of Cantril, IA, Jolene (Jim) Nusbaum of Keosauqua, IA, and a son, Mark (Lisa) Roberts of Penrose, CO; his grandchildren, Brett Boyd, Scott (Abilene) Mast, Wayne Mast, Julia (Garrett) Davis, Shayla Rotenburger, Kelli Rotenburger, Jace (Desiray) Roberts, Sarah (AJ) Nolting, Lane Davis, Kadence Nusbaum, Kamden Nusbaum and Lex Farner; great grandchildren, Eli Boyd, Elena Mast, Case Mast, Blakley Roberts, Watson Roberts and Miles Detrick, and brother, Rex (Nancy) Carr, along with many nieces, nephews and cousins.
He was preceded in death by his first wife, Marcia (Schmitt) Carr, father and mother, Orville and Marna Carr and brother, Tom Carr.