Wilson, Madonna Agnes (Carolan) 1925 - 2019

WILSON, CAROLAN, WILLSON, GOSSMAN, WILLIAMS, KRIENER, KOLE, KELLER, ALCOCK, BONDY, COVINGTON, HOLTHAUS, PHILLIPS, ABREU, TERRY, ASCHIM, GATES, BOELTER, HAND, MCFARLAND

Posted By: Joy Moore (email)
Date: 4/10/2019 at 12:33:12

Madonna Wilson, age 93, of Decorah, Iowa, died on Sunday, March 31, 2019, at the Winneshiek Medical Center in Decorah, IA.

Mass of Christian Burial will be held at 10:30 a.m., Saturday, April 6, 2019, at St. Bridget’s Catholic Church in Bluffton, Iowa, with Rev. Dan Knipper presiding. Burial will be in the church cemetery.

Visitation will be from 4:00-7:00 p.m. on Friday, April 5, 2019 at the Schluter – Balik Funeral Home, 604 South Ave in Decorah and also after 9:30 a.m. at the church in Bluffton on Saturday morning.

Madonna Agnes (Carolan) Wilson was born on August 13, 1925 the daughter of Stephen and Florence (Willson) Carolan in Decorah, IA. She graduated from Rudolphinum Catholic School in Protivin, IA. After graduation, Madonna worked at Bishop’s Cafeteria in downtown Cedar Rapids. She married Leland “Cy” Wilson on June 11, 1946 at St. Bridget’s Catholic Church in Bluffton. Madonna and Cy moved to Winneshiek County in 1951 and began farming. Together they had three daughters: Vernelle, Marlene, and Brenda. She cooked at North Winneshiek School for several years, as well as raised her daughters at home.

Madonna is survived by her daughters: Vernelle (Merlyn) Gossman, Decorah, IA; Marlene (Guy) Williams, Cedar Rapids, IA and Brenda (Loren) Kriener, Ft. Atkinson, IA. Eight grandchildren and fourteen great-grandchildren: Terri (Paul) Kole, Jared, Ryan and Logan Keller; Traci (Bob) Bondy, Kourtni Alcock, Mia and Bo Bondy; Carmen (Brad) Allyson and Mitchell Covington; Kim (Kelly) Ethan, Ava and Hayden Holthaus; Angela (Aaron) Antonia, William and Anna Phillips; Erin (fiancé, Jeremy Soifer) Kriener; Abby (Alex) Abreu and Adam Kriener. Brother-in-law: Jim (Leone) Wilson, Coupeville, WA. Sisters-in-law: Lucille Wilson, Hopkinton, IA and Shirley Terry, Independence, IA as well as several nieces and nephews and a special aunt: Ann Aschim, Decorah, IA.

Madonna was preceded in death by her husband: Leland “Cy” Wilson in 2009. Parents: Stephen and Florence (Willson) Carolan. Father and mother-in-law: John and Hattie (Gates) Wilson. Brothers-in-law: Lloyd (Marilyn) Wilson, Ralph Wilson, Duane Wilson, Delbert (Marie) Wilson and John Terry. Sisters-in-law: Eileen (Floyd) Boelter, Thelma Hand, Virginia (Burr) McFarland.

Madonna loved being Irish. She was enamored by Daniel O’Donnell, especially when he wore his black, leather pants. She certainly had the luck of the Irish, never more evident than when you were playing cards against her. She enjoyed playing Euchre with both jokers included, and the jokers landed in her hand more than they didn't, earning her the nickname of Grandma Joker.

She was an incredible cook. There may not be a person living in northeast Iowa that she didn't feed at least once. She always provided three full, organic meals per day and could feed a dozen drop-ins on a moment’s notice without an ounce of hesitation.

Madonna loved to dance. She used to say that she would rather waltz than eat. It makes perfect sense that she met the love of her life at a dance, and Cy remained her dance partner for 63 years. We know that they’ve already taken a few spins around Heaven’s dance floor.

She enjoyed crocheting and made afghans and scarves for her family, including the dogs.

Madonna loved her Hawkeyes, especially the men’s basketball team.

She loved her family fiercely, even the Minnesota and Michigan fans. She loved us even in the tough times. Especially in the tough times. We always knew we had her in our corner, armed with her rosary beads, unending compassion, and her feisty Irish spirit.

She was as faith-filled as they come and was our prayer warrior. She may have actually worn out rosary beads. If you knew her, there is no doubt that she prayed for you at one point or another. We are certain she was ushered to the front of the line, and we are pretty sure she entered Heaven's gates with both jokers in her pocket.

While we can’t imagine a world without her, we were lucky to have her for so long.

Rest easy, Grandma Joker. You’ve more than earned it.

Source: Schluter - Balik Funeral Home database

St. Bridget Cemetery
 

Winneshiek Obituaries maintained by Bruce Kuennen.
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