Carole Sue Gray Triplett

Carole Sue (Mofle) Gray Triplett, 89, of Ames, Iowa died May 22, 2025. Carole Sue was born October 20, 1935. She was the daughter of Frank and Edna Mofle and grew up on Des Moines' east side near the Iowa State Fairgrounds. Her family embraced all that the State Fair offered. They were also involved in Chesterfield Christian Church. Carole Sue graduated from East High in January 1954 and enrolled at Simpson College, Indianola the same week. Carole Sue majored in Elementary Education and received a two year teaching certificate and then a four year degree. In 1957-58, Carole Sue was recognized in the Who's Who of College students. She was active in the Delta Delta Delta sorority during college and continued to be an active alum throughout her life. Carole Sue met Chuck Gray while at Simpson College and they were married February 1, 1958. During that year, Chuck worked at Fall Oil Company, Carole Sue helped out at Dairy Kreme at 527 Lincoln Way. Soon Carole Sue and Chuck were raising their daughter, Kelley, and son, Gregg, in Ames. Carole Sue was an involved volunteer in Ames organizations including Mary Greeley Hospital Auxiliary, Theta Chi, PEO, Northminster Pres...[more]

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erian Church, Meeker PTA, Ames Chamber of Commerce, board member of the Ames International Orchestra Festival Association, and Rotary. Carole Sue and Chuck were Ames High and Iowa State sports fans. They also enjoyed adventures at their farm property, Country Estates, winter ski trips, vacations to Ten Mile Lake, Minneapolis, Kansas City, New York and any city where Iowa State played in a Bowl Game. In 1969 Carole Sue began pursuing a Masters Degree in Guidance and Counseling. She earned the advanced degree in 1972 and was a graduate assistant, then an ISU faculty member for 10 years in the Elementary Education Department. An entrepreneur at heart, in 1980 she started a company named Sew Old, making "Gas Gloves", bringing them from concept to the wholesale market place. In 1983 Carole Sue and Chuck moved to Fort Collins, CO and opened a successful gift shop, Stuff 'N Things. When Chuck died in 1987, Carole Sue returned to Ames. She began working as a manufacturers' sales representative for several gift lines, including her own. Her territory was Iowa, Nebraska and Colorado. She went to International Gift Shows in California, New York, Chicago and Minneapolis to represent the lines she sold. On November 15, 1996 Carole Sue married Jim Triplett of Ames. When Carole Sue and Jim both retired, they began traveling extensively, including an around-the-world trip. They spent summers in Ames and Clear Lake, IA and winters in the Ft. Myers/Naples area of Florida, enjoying visits from friends, children and grandchildren. Expanding their network of friends, they attended ISU sports game-watch gatherings in Florida. Carole Sue continued this tradition after Jim died in 2016. When Northcrest announced the new independent living apartment construction project, Carole Sue signed up. Since 2020, she has enjoyed and appreciated living at Northcrest. She continued to make new friends and connections at Northcrest while displaying a brave and determined fight against cancer. Besides travel, Carole Sue enjoyed entertaining with friends and family, playing games and cards, decorating her lovely homes and reading. There were a few brushes with fame that Carole Sue enjoyed sharing. She danced with Lawerence Welk during his television show in Santa Monica, California. In 1956, Carole Sue was riding on a cruise ship, the Stockholm, when it crashed into the Andrea Doria. The Andrea Doria sank off the coast of Massachusetts, near Nantucket Island. She met President Ford when he came to Ames in 1976. She was in the audience three times for the Price is Right but, alas, was never picked to "Come on down". Carole Sue is survived by her children: Kelley (Alan) McMurchie, Loudon, TN and Gregg (Sherri) Gray, Estero, FL, step-children: TJ (Carol) Triplett, Lake Geneva, WI, Liz (Brad) Harken, Hiawatha, IA and Kevin (Natalie) Snyder, Wetumpka, AL. Grandchildren Leslie (Kyle) Chaney, Amy (Brandon) Cruz, Sarah (Justin Wallace) Harken, Benny Harken, Jessica Howerton, Dalton Howerton, Tanner (Kalee) Triplett, Maddi Triplett and seven great-grandchildren. She was preceded in death by husbands, Chuck Gray and Jim Triplett, her parents, Frank and Edna Mofle; and sister, Colleen; and step-son Matt Triplett. Celebration of Life will be held on July 11 with details to follow. In lieu of flowers or specific memorials, Carole Sue would ask you to help a friend or family member reduce their credit card debt. If you know of someone who could use this type of help, in her memory, please give them a hand.