Havel, Carolyn Ann (Tilkes) 1935 - 2018

HAVEL, TILKES, DIEDERICH, BOHACH, HOGENSON, SMITH, SCHAEFER, ADAMSON, JOHNSON, CHAMBERLAIN, WATSON, HELLEGAS, PITTMAN, LANSING, MCCLURE

Posted By: Joy Moore (email)
Date: 5/19/2024 at 21:00:44

Carolyn Havel, age 82 of Calmar, IA, died on Saturday, January 6, 2018 at her home surrounded by her ten children.

Mass of Christian Burial will be held at 10:30 a.m., Wednesday, January 10, 2018, at St. Aloysius Catholic Church, 304 South Maryville Street, Calmar, IA, with Rev. Robert Gross presiding. Burial will be in the church cemetery.

Visitation will be from 3:00-7:00 p.m., on Tuesday, January 9, 2018, at the Schluter – Balik Funeral Home, French Chapel, Calmar, IA, with a rosary at 4:00 p.m. There will also be visitation after 9:30 a.m., at the church on Wednesday morning.

Carolyn Ann (Tilkes) Havel was born on July 23, 1935 to John and Leone (Diederich) Tilkes in New Hampton, IA. She graduated from Immaculate Conception High School in North Washington in 1953. She graduated from St. Mary’s nursing school in Rochester in 1956 and then worked at St. Mary’s Hospital in Rochester. Carolyn married Richard Havel on June 18, 1958 at Immaculate Conception Catholic Church in North Washington, IA. Together they shared much love and happiness as they raised their ten children. She worked for Dr. Miller in Calmar for a few years and then spent time raising her children. Carolyn went back to work later in life at Eastern Star Nursing Home as a RN until she retired. Throughout her life Carolyn volunteered in a variety of ways. She was a 25 Year Troop Leader for the Girl Scouts and spent countless hours volunteering at the Greater Area Food Pantry. Carolyn was a very active member of the St Aloysius parish as a Lector, Eucharistic Minister, Choir Member and volunteer for several Parish programs including the Layette and Quilt Projects.

Carolyn Havel was a wife, mother, nurse, housewife, volunteer, and at her core, a faithful follower of Christ. When God said that the meek will inherit the earth, he meant Carolyn. She simply was always there in the background serving others. She'd never have been in the front of the picture, as she would've felt that wasn't right. She would rather be the one in the background that always showed up to help out, always found the time to volunteer, and always provided stability when it was needed. Carolyn and Richard raised a strong family of children who have adopted their parents’ core values of faithfulness, kindness, selflessness and caring. Carolyn was definitely faced with challenges, raising ten children, but she was one that never wavered. Her faith and her belief in her family helped keep everything on an even keel. Carolyn will be missed for her kind smile, her gracious attitude, her touching letter writing skills, her wonderful cherry desserts, her kindness and generosity to others, and especially for her love and devotion to her husband. This world is definitely a better place because she walked upon this earth.

Carolyn is survived by her ten children: Barbara (Mark) Bohach, Spillville, IA; Paul (Margaret) Havel, Calmar, IA; Theresa (Terry) Hogenson, Muscatine, IA; Mary (Don) Smith, Fredericksburg, IA; Joan (Craig) Schaefer, Dubuque, IA; John (Julie) Havel, Calmar, IA; David Havel, Independence, IA; Ann (Craig) Adamson, Marion, IA; Joel (Natalee) Havel, Center Point, IA; Aimee (Andrew) Johnson, Marion, IA. Twenty-two grandchildren: Adam (Flannery) Bohach, Emily (Andrew) Chamberlain, and Garrett Bohach; Matthew (Sandy) Havel and Michael Havel; Katelynn and Morgan Hogenson, Ashley (Zak) Watson, Quinn, Megan, Angel, Isaac and Ezra Smith; Hayley, Jonathan, and Luke Schaefer; Andrew Havel; Rachel, Griffin, and Chloe Adamson; Aidan and Ainsley Johnson. Great grandson: Linden Will Bohach. Three sisters: Sr. Lois Tilkes, Dubuque, IA; Jan Hellegas, Charles City, IA; and Grace Pittman, Westminster, CO. One brother: Nick (Jean) Tilkes, New Hampton, IA. Brother-in-law: Richard Lansing, Ossian, IA. Sisters-in-law: Florence Tilkes, Ionia, IA and Helen Havel, Osage, IA.

Carolyn was preceded in death by her husband Richard. Parents: John and Leone (Diederich) Tilkes. Brother: Lawrence Tilkes. Sister: Madelyn Lansing. Brothers-in-law: Edward, Arnold and John Havel, Brian McClure, Bob Hellegas. Sister-in-law: Alice Havel.

Donations may be made to the Greater Area Food Pantry--Calmar or St. Aloysius Parish in Carolyn’s memory.

Source: Schluter - Balik Funeral Home database

St. Aloysius Cemetery
 

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