Carol M. Briggs

Carol Briggs (83) passed away peacefully on December 28, 2025, at Kavanagh House in Des Moines.  Her family will hold a private celebration of life at a later date.

Born on a very cold day, January 3, 1942, in Oak Park IL, Carol was the only child of Arthur and Ruth (Clish) Rehn.  In lieu of siblings, she had numerous cousins and maintained and cherished those relationships throughout her life.  This included planning the inaugural biennial Clish family reunion in the late 1990’s that continues today.  

Carol graduated from Northern Illinois University in 1963 with a degree in Education.  She taught full-time until she became a mother. Then later returned to the workforce, most notably as a top salesperson for Office Systems Division, Inc. from where she retired at the end of 2006.

Carol was an amazing, loving, and caring mother, grandmother, daughter, and friend.  She had a great sense of humor and loved to laugh.  No one was a stranger; she loved getting to know everyone she encountered.  She exercised her creative talents through sewing, knitting, and decorating.  Her gifts for entertaining, planning and organizing were demonstrated through her active participation in the Johnston’s Women’s Social Connection, Johnston Senior Center, numerous bridge groups, and other organizations.

One of her favorite memories was a vacation in Italy with her cousin Meg in 2007.   It was the trip of her lifetime and where she fell in love with Poppies and all things Tuscany.   

Carol is survived by her children, Ruth (Travis) Sutton of West Des Moines, Erik (Sandy) Stjernberg of Ankeny, and John (Shelley) Stjernberg of Waukee; five grandchildren; Andrew Stjernberg, Abby Stjernberg, Caroline Ott, Austin Stjernberg, and Rehn Stjernberg; and her beloved Shih Tzu, Allie. 

In lieu of flowers, memorial donations can be made on Carol’s behalf to Every Step Hospice (Kavanagh House) and the Animal Rescue League of Iowa.