Carnae Zella Peacock, age 86, formerly of Madison, died Saturday, March 7, 2026 at the Howard Good Samaritan Society. Funeral services will be held at 2:00 PM on Tuesday, March 17, 2026, at Ellsworth Funeral Home. Visitation will be from 5:00 to 7:00 PM on Monday and will continue one hour prior to the service on Tuesday, both at the funeral home. Interment will follow at Graceland Cemetery in Madison.
Carnae Zella (Rongley) Peacock was born November 14, 1939, in Madison, South Dakota, to Clarence Rudolph Rongley and Doris Irene (Radspinner) Rongley. She was raised in rural Madison and graduated from Beadle High School in 1958. She later attended Sioux Falls College (USF).
Throughout her life, Carnae held several positions while dedicating herself to caring for others and serving her community. She worked as a preschool teacher in Brunswick, Georgia; a children’s librarian in Madison, South Dakota; a clerk at Van der Meer Bakery in Le Mars, Iowa; and a librarian in Redmond, Oregon. She later worked as a childcare director in Billings, Montana, a Red Cross office worker in Madison, South Dakota, a McDonald’s crew trainer, and an activities assistant at Bethel Lutheran Home.
Carnae was active in several organizations and community groups. She was a member of the Navy Mothers Clubs of America in Billings, Montana, attended First Baptist Church in Madison, and was involved with the Cloverettes 4-H Club and Red Cross.
She was preceded in death by her parents and daughter-in-law, Kathleen.
Grateful for having shared her life are her sons, James Peacock and Leon (Grace) Peacock; four grandchildren, numerous great-grandchildren and great-great-grandchildren.
Carnae will be remembered for her caring nature, her dedication to children and families through her work, and her involvement in the communities where she lived. Over the years, she brought joy to many through her love of crafting, especially sewing and knitting. She will be deeply missed by her “Stitchers” group and by all who had the pleasure of knowing her. To honor Carnae, those attending the service are invited to wear her favorite color, green.
