Carroll, Francis Louis

Francis Louis Carroll, 95, of Ryan, died Sunday, Oct. 30, 2011, at the Good Neighbor Home in Manchester. Wake services will be held from 3 to 8 p.m. Tuesday, with a 5 p.m. Scripture service at St. Patrick's Church Hall in Ryan. Visitation one hour before service Wednesday at the church. A funeral mass will be celebrated at 10:30 a.m. Wednesday, Nov. 2, at St. Patrick's Church, with graveside services to follow at St. Patrick's Calvary Cemetery in Ryan.

In lieu of flowers or plants, the family requests memorials be given to Catholic Charities or for a scholarship to an agricultural student at West Delaware.

Online condolences may be sent to .

Francis was born in Placid, Iowa, at his parental home in Dubuque County to John and Mary Mahoney Carroll. He attended Dubuque County schools. In his youth, he was a hired hand for local farmers. On Sept. 30, 1941, he married Helen Marie Knepper at St. Paul's Catholic Church in Worthington, Iowa. After their marriage, they farmed outside of the Worthington/Cascade area for 10 years. In 1951 with a team of horses, they moved to the “old Hennessey farm,” four miles south of Ryan. At this location they farmed and raised their 10 children.

Francis is survived by his wife of 70 years, Helen; his 10 children, Barbara (Gerald) Maxwell of Cedar Rapids, William (Rosemary) Carroll of Central City, Thomas (Carole) Carroll of Dubuque, Jane (Tom) McNinch of St. Paul, Minn., John (Janet) Carroll of Granger, Paul Carroll of Rockford, Mary (Jon) Hajek of Cedar Rapids, Marcia (Tim) Cooper of Scottsdale Ariz., Steven (Rebecca) Carroll of Marion. and Gregory (Pam) Carroll of Ryan.

Also surviving are 27 grandchildren; 24 great-grandchildren; one sister, Ann Wolfe of Worthington; and in-laws, Irene Recker, George and Alma Knepper, Mike and Jean Knepper, Ida and John Trumm, Joan and John Anstoetter, Mary Knepper and Gladys Knepper.

Francis was preceded in death by his parents; in-laws, William and Ida Knepper; his siblings, Mary Burds, Alverna Breen, and Joseph Carroll; and one grandson, Peter Anthony Carroll.

Francis will be missed by many nieces, nephews and numerous lifelong friends.

In his years of farming in Delaware County, Francis was active on the Manchester Hospital Board for 27 years, the ASCS office as a surveyor for 25 years and St. Patrick's Catholic Church for 60 years. He was a member of the St. Patrick's School board for 17 years, until the school closed. He belonged to several card groups and was known for enjoying a good game of cards at any family event or holiday.

Francis loved the land and was a good steward in his passion as a farmer. Having a family and farming were the source of much joy and love for him.

Francis' best day and memory was when he was able to marry his wife, Helen.

Published in The Gazette Nov. 1, 2011.