Thelma Loree (Carlisle) Hamilton died May 26, 2026 at her home in Oakland, Iowa at the age of 100 years,10 months and 11 days. Loree, the oldest of three children of Dale H, and Inez V. (Cordle) Carlisle was born on Pea Ridge outside of Cainsville, Missouri on July 15, 1925. During her early years, the family lived in Cainsville and later moved to rural Elliott, Iowa where Loree graduated from Elliott High School in 1943. One week after graduation, Loree started the first phase of her career as a clerk in the USDA’s ASCS office in Oakland. While working in Oakland, Loree met (Allen Eugene) Gene Hamilton at a dance. They were married on January 31, 1946, at the Elliott Christian Church during Gene’s leave from the US Army Air Corp prior to being shipped to serve in Japan at the end of World War II. To this union four children were born: Sharon, Sandra, Steven and Scott.

Following Gene’s discharge from service, the couple started farming and continued in that career field until the late 1950’s when Gene started a career in sales and Loree returned to her career with the ASCS office after the birth of their four children. Loree had a more than 40 year career with the ASCS serving farmers in East Pottawattamie County and earning several local, state and national recognitions and awards for her service. Her part time “retirement jobs” included hostess at JACS and working at the Rieken-Veith Funeral Home for several years.

Loree was an active member of the Oakland Christian Church for over 79 years serving as a Sunday school teacher, treasurer, CWF officer, choir member, church camp counselor, committee chair and elder for many of those years. She also served on the Oakland Industrial Foundation, was a 4-H and Cub Scout leader for several years, an active, passionate supporter of student activities at Oakland and later Riverside school, a long time volunteer at Oakland Manor after her retirement and she and Gene were also long time members of Gideon’s and the Oakland 4th of July Celebration organizing committee. Faith, family and service to others were values which consistently shaped every aspect of Loree’s life.

Reaching the goal of 100 years of age last July 15th, and being able to celebrate it wonderfully with family and friends from across the country gathered in Oakland was a major goal of Loree’s. And she was very happy and proud to have achieved it while still healthy and vital enough to enjoy it.

Loree is survived by her daughter Sandra Hamilton of Vinton, Iowa; son and daughter-in-law Steven and Diana Hamilton of Oakland, Iowa ; and son and daughter-in-law Scott and Kathy Hamilton of Chatham, Massachusetts. She is also survived by seven grandchildren: Loree Ann Phelps of Oakland, Iowa; Julie (Doug) Bishop of Walnut, Iowa; Thomas (Beth) Kearney of Loveland, Colorado; Jonathan (Judith) Dea of Rockledge, Florida; Jennifer McDaniel of Oakland, Iowa; Emily (Adam) Porter of Harwich, Massachusetts and Matthew Hamilton of Chatham, Massachusetts. Also surviving her are ten great-grandchildren: Joshua (Stephanie) Kennon of Malibu, California,; Skyler (Jennifer) Meyer of New Sharon, Iowa; Cortney Meyer of Sully, Iowa; Mason Kearney of Loveland, Colorado; Niklas Dea of Rockledge, Florida; Emily and Megan McDaniel of Oakland,Iowa; and Eliza, Ava and Asher Porter of Harwich, Massachusetts; and one great-great grandson, Tucker Meyer with a great-great granddaughter on the way of New Sharon, Iowa. She is also survived by 10 nieces and nephews, 25 great nieces and nephews and numerous friends.

She is pre-deceased by: Gene, her husband of 65 years; her daughter and son-in-law, Sharon and Arnold Kearney; her parents, Dale H. and Inez V. Carlisle; her in-laws, Homer and Elizabeth Hamilton; grandson-in-law Mark McDaniel; granddaughter-in-law Kirsten Dea; brother and sister-in-law Leland and Eleanor Carlisle; sister and brother-in-law Luetta and MB Jackson; brothers and sisters-in-law Dale and Pauline Hamilton, Fred and Dorothy Hamilton and Don and Phyllis Hamilton; one niece and two nephews. 

A funeral service for Loree will be held on Saturday, June 6, 2026, at 10:30 AM, at the Oakland Christian Church. Interment will be in the Oaklawn Cemetery. Visitation with the family will be Friday, June 5, 2026, from 5:00 until 7:00 PM, at the Oakland Christian Church. Rieken Vieth Funeral Home in Oakland is assisting the family.