Carolyn Havel

Monday, January 15, 2018 6:11 pm

Carolyn Havel, 82, of Calmar, died Saturday, Jan. 6, 2018, at her home surrounded by her 10 children. Mass of Christian Burial was at 10:30 a.m. Wednesday, Jan. 10, at St. Aloysius Catholic Church in Calmar, with Rev. Robert Gross and Rev. Gregory Havel officiating. Lectors were Garrett Bohach and Hayley Schaefer. Eucharistic ministers were Kay Heying and Kennidee DeVilbiss. Mass servers were Michael Havel, Cody Meyer and Luke Schaefer. Offertory gift bearers were Carolyn’s granddaughters. Organist was Jeanette Dietzenbach. Cantor Dan Silhacek and the St. Aloysius Choir sang “You Are Mine,” “Prayer of St. Francis,” “We Remember,” “Goin Home” and “Silent Night.” Casket bearers were Carolyn’s grandsons. Interment was at St. Aloysius Catholic Church in Calmar. Arrangements were handled by Schluter – Balik Funeral Home, French Chapel Calmar.

Carolyn Ann (Tilkes) Havel was born July 23, 1935, to John and Leone (Diederich) Tilkes in New Hampton. 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 June 18, 1958, at Immaculate Conception Catholic Church in North Washington. Together they shared much love and happiness as they raised their 10 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 registered nurse, 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 10 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 10 children: Barbara (Mark) Bohach, Spillville; Paul (Margaret) Havel, Calmar; Theresa (Terry) Hogenson, Muscatine; Mary (Don) Smith, Fredericksburg; Joan (Craig) Schaefer, Dubuque; John (Julie) Havel, Calmar; David Havel, Independence; Ann (Craig) Adamson, Marion; Joel (Natalee) Havel, Center Point; Aimee (Andrew) Johnson, Marion; 22 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; Jan Hellegas, Charles City; and Grace Pittman, Westminster, Colo.; one brother, Nick (Jean) Tilkes, New Hampton; brother-in-law, Richard Lansing, Ossian; sisters-in-law, Florence Tilkes, Ionia and Helen Havel, Osage.

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.