- Date Of Birth: October 2, 1962
- Date Of Death: April 14, 2019
- State: Iowa
Carmen Theresa Hackworth, who truly lived every minute of her 56 years, died on Sunday, April 14, 2019, at MercyOne Des Moines Medical Center. Her gift of life as an organ donor has helped to save the lives of at least four individuals.
Carmen, the daughter of Frank and Janet (Parrish) Harger, was born on October 2, 1962 in Newton. She grew up in Newton and graduated from Newton High School in 1981. For many years, Carmen was the group home leader and worked in the corporate office at Progress Industries. Following that she worked in the factory and office at the Maytag Company. When Maytag began closing, Carmen decided to go back to school and received her LPN from Marshalltown Community College in December of 2007. The following year she began working at the Iowa Veteran’s Home in Marshalltown. Carmen had a heart for serving others and that shone through in many aspects of her life but none more so than when a patient at the Veteran’s Home was in their final hours and Carmen would volunteer to sit with them and their families laughing, crying, and telling stories.
Carmen, with her bright smile and contagious laugh, NEVER met a stranger. If you knew her for five minutes or for a lifetime she had a knack for making you feel included and special.
Carmen will continue to be loved and remembered by her children, Carley (Kyle) Anderson of Tucson, Arizona and Jace Hackworth of Newton; parents, Janet and Frank Harger of Newton; her brother, Chris West of Newton; step-sister, Regina (Randy) Frahm; her nieces and nephews, Patrece (Micah) Cope, Joe Revell, Megan (Kyle) Potter, and Amanda West; her many great-nieces and great-nephews; cats, October and Deeners; and her many, many friends. She was preceded in death by her father, Ronald West; paternal grandparents, Wilda (Frank) Harger; maternal grandparents, Joe (Pauline) Parrish; sister, Pauline Cannon; and a niece, Holly Revell.
