Francis Carolan

Francis T. Carolan, age 83 of Charles City died Saturday, February 19, 2011, at the 11th Street Chautauqua Guest Home in Charles City. A Mass of Christian Burial will be held 10:30 a.m. Saturday, February 26, 2011, at Immaculate Conception Catholic Church, Charles City with Rev. Carl Ries celebrating the Mass. Lector for the service will be Jason Carolan. The offertory gifts will be presented by four of his great grandchildren, Christopher Njus, Nikki Njus, Blake Holschlag, and Braden Holschlag. Interment will be in the Calvary Cemetery in Charles City with Francis' grandsons, Curt Njus, Jason Carolan, Tim Njus, Craig Holschlag, Jamie Carolan, Lucas Taddonio, Evan Taddonio, and Brad Holschlag serving as pallbearers. Honorary pallbearers will be Doug and June Temple. Friends may greet the family 4:00 – 8:00 p.m. Friday, February 25, 2011, at the Immaculate Conception Catholic Church social hall where there will be a 5:00 p.m. scripture service. Visitation will continue an hour prior to the Mass at the church on Saturday. Hugeback & Chenoweth Funeral Home in New Hampton is in charge of arrangements. Francis Thomas Carolan was born January 18, 1928 in rural Lawler, Iowa, the son of Frank and Alice (Whalen) Carolan. He received his education in Lawler and was a graduate of Lawler High School. On October 24, 1949, at St. Joseph’s Catholic Church in New Hampton, he married Madonna Brown. To this union, four children were born. The couple lived and farmed near Waucoma and Lawler and in 1970 moved to Charles City where they continued their farming operation. Francis enjoyed listening to the farm markets, spending time with his grandchildren, gardening, playing cards, and dancing to polka music. Survivors include his wife of 62 years, Madonna; a son, John (Marianne) Carolan of Charles City; three daughters, Carolee (Terry) Stuffelbeam of McGregor, IA, Joannie (Orlo) Njus of Lawler, Linda Taddonio of St. Paul, MN; a brother, Paul Carolan of Bull Head City, AZ; a sister, Ann Marie Ellingson of Omaha, NE; eight grandchildren, Brad Holschlag of Phoenix, AZ, Craig (Jodi) Holschlag of Rochester, MN, Curt (Dana) Njus of Pine Island, MN, Tim (Brenda) Njus of Lawler, IA, Jason (Kellie) Carolan of State Center, IA, Jamie (Sherry) Carolan of Charles City, IA, Lucas Taddonio, and Evan Taddonio both of St. Paul, MN; and six great grandchildren. He was preceded in death by his parents; a grandson, Ryan Holschlag; a granddaughter, Jennifer Carolan; four brothers, Gene, Jim, Bob, and Charles; and one sister, Bernadette Nosbisch.