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Carolan, Vivian Anita (Gossman) 1917-2007

CAROLAN, GOSSMAN, MCCABE, ERICKSON, VALENTINE, JENNISCH, WENTHOLD, WEIS, ROLLINS

Posted By: Joy Moore (email)
Date: 8/20/2012 at 16:11:23

Vivian A. Carolan, age 89, of Decorah, Iowa, died Friday evening, October 19, 2007 at Barthell Eastern Star Nursing Home in Decorah of cancer.

Mass of Christian Burial will be held at 11 A.M. Tuesday, October 23, 2007 at St. Benedict Catholic Church in Decorah by Rev. Phil Gibbs and Rev. John Gossman with inurnment in St. Agnes Catholic Cemetery at a later date. In accordance with her wishes, after the service, her body will be donated to science, to Mayo Foundation, Department of Anatomy in Rochester, Minnesota.

Friends may call from 4:00 – 7:00 P.M. Monday, October 22 at Fjelstul Funeral Home in Decorah, with a Rosary recited at 4:00 P.M. and a Vigil Service at 7:00 P.M. Monday and on Tuesday after 8:00 A.M. at Fjelstul Funeral Home.

Vivian Anita (Gossman) Carolan was born December 12, 1917 at home on the family farm in Burr Oak Township, Winneshiek County, Iowa, the daughter of John A. and Mary E. (McCabe) Gossman. She was baptized December 23, 1917 at St. Agnes Catholic Church in Plymouth Rock, IA. Vivian attended a one-room country school near the family farm in Burr Oak Township and then graduated from Rudolphinum High School in Protivin, Iowa with the class of 1934.

Vivian was united in marriage with Sylvester Terrance Carolan on July 12, 1938 at St. Benedict Catholic Church in Decorah, Iowa. This union was blessed with six children: Vernelle, Patrick, Kathleen, Gretchen, Dean and Joan.

Vivian and Sylvester farmed their whole married life, first in Madison Township and then, for many years, in Burr Oak Township. They retired and moved into Decorah in January of 1977. Vivian was an active member of St. Agnes Catholic Church in Plymouth Rock for many years. After moving to Decorah, Vivian and Sylvester became members of St. Benedict Catholic Church. She was a volunteer at the RSVP meal site. She loved to play cards, read and knit, which she did beautifully. She also enjoyed watching baseball and traveling with Sylvester.

Vivian became a resident of Barthell Eastern Star Nursing Home in Decorah, following surgery, on September 13, 2007.

She was preceded in death by her parents; one daughter, Kathleen Jane Erickson on September 1, 1995; one great-grandson, Aidan Sean Valentine on December 27, 1995; six brothers, Clement, Leland, Francis, Clodie, and Merland and Norbert in infancy; and two sisters, Mildred Jennisch and Doris Wenthold.

She is survived by her husband of more than 69 years, Sylvester of Decorah; their five children: Vernelle (Richard “Tip”) Weis of Decorah, Pat (Pam) Carolan of Stewartville, MN, Gretchen Carolan of Decorah, Dean (Sherry) Carolan of Decorah, and Joan (Terry) Rollins of Decorah; 27 grandchildren; 29 great-grandchildren; one son-in-law, Loel Erickson of Rochester, MN; one sister-in-law, Ruth Carolan of Austin, MN; and numerous nieces and nephews.

Source: Fjelstul Funeral Home database

St. Agnes cemetery
 

Winneshiek Obituaries maintained by Bruce Kuennen.
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