Donald J. Carolan

Donald Joseph Carolan was called home on October 5, 2019 while a resident at the Evans Memorial Home. 

A Mass of Christian burial will be held at Notre Dame Catholic Church on October 11, 2019, at 11:00 a.m. with Father Jacob Rouse officiating. Burial will be in the Calvary Cemetery. Visitation will be held at Notre Dame Catholic Church beginning at 9:30 a.m. prior to the service on Friday. Hindt-Hudek Funeral Home is assisting the family.

He was born on February 15, 1931 in Decorah, Iowa to Joseph and Dorothy (Werhan) Carolan.  He attended St. Benedict’s School.  In 1941 he moved to Cresco and attended a country school near his home.

On October 11, 1950 he was united in marriage to Joan Kleve (daughter of Hugo and Mary Kleve)  at St. Joseph’s Church in Cresco.  Following their marriage they started farming and in November of 1951 he was drafted during the Korean Conflict making their home in Fort Sill, Oklahoma.

Upon discharge from the Army they returned to Cresco. He worked construction and carpentry.  In 1956 they purchased a farm near Ridgeway and in 1964 donated the log cabin that was on the farm to the Howard County Historical Society which now stands in Beadle Park in Cresco.  They lived there until they retired in 1998 and moved to Cresco.

Don loved to dance and to play cards.  The pride of his life were his grandchildren.  He was a true Irishman and loved to tell stories, he was full of malarkey and mischief and always had a twinkle in his eye.

He was a lifetime member of St. Joseph’s Parish and the Howard County Historical Society.

Don is survived by his wife of 68 years, Joan, sons Rodney (Nancy) Carolan of Ridgeway, Kevin (Donna) Carolan of Calmar and Sharon (Rick) Tlusty of Waseca, Minnesota. 

Grandchildren Adam (Jen) Carolan, Sean (Katie) Carolan, Nick Owings, Laine (Jodi) Henning, Lynn (Karen) Henning, Sara (Sean) Malone, Michael Corlett, Jessica (Mitch) Langreck, Brittany and friend Codey Hayek, Colten (Jenna) Tlusty, Katie Tlusty and friend Chase Klingaman. 

Great grandchildren Riley Goemann, Jace Goemann, Sara and Christian Carolan, Nolan Carolan, Kieran and Olivia Owings, Mariah Langreck and Tucker Tlusty.

His sister Regina (Harry) Wilkens. Also survived by family members  Jeanette Kleve Chwialkowski, Diane and Norb Bohr, Roger and Elaine Kleve .

He was preceded in death by two granddaughters Lisa Marie Carolan and Nicole Carolan Owings.  His parents Joseph and Dorothy Carolan, one sister Grace Carolan Bouska.  Infant brothers Roger and Mark Carolan.  

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