Elaine L. Carrigan, 53, Henderson
Elaine Louise Carrigan, age 53, of Henderson, died at Mercy Hospital in Council Bluffs on Jan. 16, 2009. Funeral services were held Tuesday, Jan. 20, 2009, at the Assembly of God Church in Macedonia. Officiating was Pastor Brad Schroeder. Interment was in the Farm Creek Cemetery in Henderson.
The oldest of five children of Vester “Goodie” Goodwin and Joan Bessie Mae (Miller) Goodwin, she was born Sept. 27, 1955, in Kirkwood, Mo. The family moved to Macedonia in 1968 and she graduated from Carson-Macedonia High School in 1974. Her work career began at D & L Manufacturing in Red Oak, where she assembled seats for cars. She later moved to Red Oak and her home was blessed with a daughter, Casie Jae. They moved to Macedonia, and then eventually to Henderson. She earned an associates of art degree as a legal assistant at Iowa Western Community College in Council Bluffs. She began working days at a Council Bluffs law firm and nights as a payroll clerk at Iowa Beef Processing.
In 1982, she and Terry Bruce Carrigan of Council Bluffs began their life together, making their home in Henderson. Mrs. Carrigan became a mother to his son, Jeffery. They were blessed with a son, Cody, in 1983. She continued working as a production worker at Land-O-Lakes in Oakland, and later took a job at CDS Global in Red Oak.
She suffered a disabling heart attack in 2005 and had been in declining health ever since. She was a member of the Assembly of God Church in Macedonia and loved time spent with her family. She was an excellent gardener, cook and baker. She also loved listening to music and when her health permitted, she attended many live concerts, went camping, and traveled.
Mrs. Carrigan was preceded in death by her father, Vester Goodwin and sister, Terry Jane Bittner. She is survived by her husband, Terry Carrigan of Henderson; mother, Joan Goodwin of Wagoner, Okla.; children, Casie Bittner and companion Dan Baumfalk of Malvern; and Cody Carrigan and companion Jessica Klindt of Henderson; stepchildren, Scott Carrigan and wife Melanie; Lisa Argo and husband Jeff; Michelle Carrigan; Matthew Carrigan and wife Pattie; and Trisha Carrigan, all of Omaha; and Jeffery Carrigan and wife Cherish of Ravenwood, Mo.; sisters, Christene Brierly of Carson; and Toni Casson of Henderson; brother Joseph “Jay” Bittner of Oakland; 17 grandchildren and five great-grandchildren; nieces and nephews; other relatives and friends.
A memorial fund has been established. Hertz Funeral Home of Carson was in charge of arrangements.