Carolan, Sylvester Terrence 1909 - 2016
CAROLAN, DONLAN, GOSSMAN, ERICKSON, WEIS, VALENTINE, CRONIN, OBRIEN, DREW, SUTTON-VAN STEENHUYSE, ROLLINS
Posted By: Joy Moore (email)
Date: 8/27/2016 at 15:29:26
Sylvester T. Carolan, age 107, of Decorah, Iowa, died Tuesday, August 23, 2016 at Barthell O.E.S. Home in Decorah.
Mass of Christian Burial will be held at 10:30 a.m. Friday, August 26, 2016 at St. Benedict Catholic Church in Decorah by Rev. Phil Gibbs officiating. Inurnment will be in St. Agnes Catholic Cemetery at a later date. In accordance with his wishes, after the service, his body will be donated to science, to Mayo Foundation, Department of Anatomy in Rochester, Minnesota.
Visitation will be from 4:00 – 7:00 p.m. Thursday, August 25 at Fjelstul Funeral Home in Decorah, with a Rosary recited at 4:00 p.m. and a Vigil Service at 7:00 p. Thursday, and on Friday, beginning at 9:30 a.m., one hour before the service, at the church.
Sylvester Terrance Carolan was born June 20, 1909 at home on the family farm in Canoe Township, rural Decorah, Iowa, the son of Philip H. and Ella F. (Donlan) Carolan. He attended Canoe Township School #3 and then Decorah High School. Sylvester began a career in farming early in life.
Sylvester was united in marriage with Vivian Anita Gossman 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. Sylvester was an active member and Trustee 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. He loved to play cards, enjoyed the farm harvest time, gardening and dancing or listening to polka music. He seemed to be the happiest when he was rocking in his chair, singing to a baby on his lap. And as with all good Irishmen, Sylvester loved potatoes! He planted them on as many Good Fridays as weather would allow, dug them from his gardens, peeled multitudes of them for himself, his family and even the nursing home just last week! Sneaking a raw one to eat & share while peeling was a treat. He was also the potato masher for special meals or Sunday dinner for Vivian, while she finished all the trimmings.
Sylvester became a resident of Barthell O.E.S. Home in Decorah on September 14, 2007.
He was preceded in death by his parents; his wife Vivian on October 19, 2007; one daughter, Kathleen Jane Erickson on September 1, 1995; one grandson, Robert Richard Weis on August 12, 2014; one great-grandson, Aidan Sean Valentine on December 27, 1995; two sons-in-law, Loel Erickson on March 24, 2011 and Richard “Tip” Weis on August 25, 2015; four sisters, Mae Cronin, Bessie O’Brien, Tret Drew and Ellen Sutton – Van Steenhuyse; and by six brothers, Richard, Pete, Jim, Robert, Bill and Melvin.
Sylvester is survived by five children: Vernelle 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; 48 great-grandchildren; 1 great-great grandson (with another scheduled for birth on August 29th); and numerous nieces and nephews.
In accordance with his wishes, after the service, his body will be donated to science, to Mayo Foundation, Department of Anatomy in Rochester, Minnesota.
Source: Fjelstul Funeral Home database
St. Agnes Cemetery
Winneshiek Obituaries maintained by Bruce Kuennen.
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