Jean Carnahan, age 85 of Grinnell, died on Sunday, July 19, 2020 at UnityPoint Grinnell Regional Medical Center with her family by her side. A private family graveside service will be held on Wednesday, July 22, 2020 at Chester Cemetery north of Grinnell with Pastor Matt Oleson, pastor of the Newburg Congregational Church, officiating. Memorials may be designated to Samaritan's Purse or to the University of Iowa Stead Family Children's Hospital, mailed in care of the Smith Funeral Home, PO Box 368, Grinnell, Iowa 50112. Memories and condolences may be shared with Jean's family online at www.smithfh.com Mary Jean Smith was born the daughter of Charles and Mildred (Nelson) Smith on the family farm northwest of Grinnell, Iowa on May 15, 1935. She was raised on the family farm and graduated from Newburg High School with the class of 1952. Jean was united in marriage to Charles Carnahan on August 15, 1952 in Eureka Springs, Arkansas. They resided and farmed in Chester Township northwest of Grinnell. Their union was blessed with five children: Dennis, Richard, Susan, Kent and Joel. Jean and Charles were longtime members of the Newburg Congregational Church, where she played the organ, taught Sunday School, and was involved in church groups such as Samaritan's Purse. Jean's love of her family and her faith in Christ were her foundation. She loved the outdoors, life on the farm, and tending to her garden. She kept an immaculate home and yard. She held a special love of music and played the organ and piano at countless church and funeral services, and especially enjoyed playing for residents at area care centers. She will be remembered for her fun-loving, feisty, ornery personality, for always putting others needs ahead of hers, for her love of music and gardening, and for the strong love of her family. Jean is survived by her husband of 67 years, Charles Carnahan of Grinnell; five children, Denny (Sue) Carnahan of Kellogg, Iowa, Richard (Sondra) Carnahan of Bondurant, Iowa, Sue Schilder of Grinnell, Kent Carnahan of Bondurant, Iowa, and Joel (Dawn) Carnahan of Grinnell; 15 grandchildren; several great grandchildren; and her siblings, Judy Baughman of Columbia, South Carolina, Sandy Smith of Fredrick, Maryland, and Charles (Diane) Smith of Havelock, North Carolina. She was preceded in death by her parents.