Carel Jean Bell, 82, of rural Vinton, passed away at her home early Thursday morning, January 14, 2021.

Funeral Services will be at 1:30 P.M. Monday at Papich-Kuba Funeral Home East, 1228 2 ^nd Street S.E., Cedar Rapids with Rev. J. Reginald Daniel officiating.  Burial will follow at the Palo Cemetery in Palo.  Visitation will be from noon until 1:30 P.M. Monday at the funeral home.  All attending the visitation and funeral are respectfully requested to wear masks and practice social distancing at the funeral home.

Carel is survived by her husband, Orval "Sonny" Bell; daughter, Cheryl Witte (Bob) of Waurika, Oklahoma; son, Michael Bell of Cedar Rapids; grandchildren, Nick O'Brian (Andrea) of Cedar Rapids, Kristen O'Brian of Ringling, Oklahoma and Michelle Bell (R.J.) of Marion; six great grandchildren, Devin, Juliet, Wyatt, Connor, Garrett and Liam; and 2 great-great grandchildren.

She was preceded in death by her parents, George Elmer Neal and Helen Frances (Scott) James and many aunts, uncles and cousins.

Carel Jean Bell was born July 20, 1938 in Portland, Missouri.  She attended school in Portland through the 8 ^th grade and later earned her GED.  Carel met Sonny in 1958 and they were married on May 18, 1960.

After moving to Iowa from Missouri at the age of 18, Carel began working at Square D.  Following her marriage and the birth of her children, Carel became a full-time homemaker.  In later years she was self-employed, maintaining rental houses with Sonny in Cedar Rapids.