Elaine Louise Carrigan

Elaine Louise Carrigan, the oldest of five children of Vester "Goodie" Goodwin and Joan Bessie Mae (Miller) Goodwin, was born September 27, 1955 at Kirkwood, Missouri. The family moved to Macedonia, Iowa in 1968 and Elaine graduated from Carson-Macedonia High School in 1974.

Elaine's work career began at D & L Manufacturing in Red Oak, Iowa 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, Iowa and then eventually to Henderson, Iowa. Elaine enrolled at Iowa Western Community College in Council Bluffs, Iowa where she earned an Associates of Art Degree as a legal assistant. She began working days at a Council Bluffs law firm and nights as a payroll clerk at Iowa Beef Processing.

In 1982, Elaine and Terry Carrigan of Council Bluffs began their life together, making their home in Henderson. Elaine became a mother to Terry's son, Jeffery. They were blessed with a son, Cody in 1983. She continued her work career as a production worker at Land-O-Lakes in Oakland, Iowa. Elaine took the opportunity to advance her career by taking a job at CDS Global in Red Oak, Iowa.

Elaine 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. Her other enjoyments included listening to music, attending many live concerts when her health permitted, camping, and traveling. She was known as a gardener with a "green thumb" and was an excellent cook and baker.

Elaine died at Mercy Hospital in Council Bluffs on January 16, 2009, having attained the age of 53 years, 3 months, and 19 days. She was preceded in death by her father, Vester Goodwin and sister, Terry Jane Bittner.

Elaine is survived by her husband, Terry Carrigan of Henderson; mother, Joan Goodwin of Wagoner, Oklahoma; children, Casie Bittner and companion Dan Baumfalk of Malvern, Iowa 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, Nebraska, and Jeffery Carrigan and wife Cherish of Ravenwood, Missouri; sisters, Christene Brierly and husband Lynn of Carson, Iowa and Toni Casson and companion Erv Moore of Henderson; brother Joseph "Jay" Bittner and wife Connie of Oakland, Iowa; 17 grandchildren and 5 great grandchildren; nieces and nephews; other relatives and friends.

A Memorial Fund has been established.