Carrero (Johnson), Lucille Kathleen

Lucille Kathleen Carrero (Johnson), 64, of Ottumwa, formerly of Cedar Rapids, died Wednesday morning, June 9, 2010, after a sudden illness. Funeral services will be 1 p.m. Saturday, June 12, at Cedar Memorial Park Chapel of Memories. The Rev. Peter V. Contreras of Chicago and the Rev. Scott Breedlove will officiate. Visitation will be from 4 to 8 p.m. today at Cedar Memorial Park Funeral Home, Cedar Rapids, and after 12:30 p.m. Saturday at the chapel.

Lucille was born Feb. 20, 1946, in Chicago, to Joseph and Pauline Carrero.

Survivors include her mother, Pauline Carrero; her children, Laura (Johnson) Davis, Sarah (Johnson) Prohm and husband Bryan of Hingham, Mass., Mark Johnson and wife Jessica of Ottumwa, Matthew Johnson and wife Rebecca of Hannibal, Mo., and Aaron Johnson and wife Christina of Cedar Rapids.

She is reunited in death with her beloved son, Nathan, whom she loved so deeply.

Lucille was blessed with 14 beautiful grandchildren, who were the center of her world: Sterling, S'mone, Ashley, Sierra, Alexa, Benjamin, Anabel, Alexander, Caroline, Abriah, Jace, Jacob, Jesse and Elizabeth.

Also surviving Lucille are her siblings: sisters, Alice VanRyn and husband Ken of Chicago, Ruth Baggio and husband Ken of Chicago, Elizabeth Sesso and husband Pat of Chicago, Maryann Carrero of Chicago, Rosemary Schwarzer of Chicago; brothers, Tito Carrero and wife Marie of Las Vegas, Nev., Michael Carrero and wife Anna of Chicago, Robert Carrero of Chicago and James Carrero and wife Dawn of Parker, Colo.; and numerous aunts and uncles, nieces and nephews.

She was preceded in death by her father, Joseph Carrero; and her brother, Jerry Carrero.

Lucille was a Christian whose strong love and faith in God was expressed outwardly through the joy and kindness shared with all those around her. To have known her was to have known her laughter and incredible generosity. She was an accomplished baker and loved nothing more than to bake for her friends and family. Lucille was always willing to help others through their struggles in life and she gave of her time through baking and volunteerism at various organizations in Hannibal, Mo., Ottumwa and Cedar Rapids. She loved to sing and was an active participant in the choirs at each church she attended. Lucille attended and remembered fondly her time as a student at Miracle Valley Bible College in Miracle Valley, Ariz. She worked in sales at various companies throughout Cedar Rapids and took pride in the multiple sales awards she received. Above all, Lucille was warm, caring and personable who had many lifelong friends, and lived by the philosophy that “only strangers are the friends I haven't met yet.” Above all, her most cherished role was that of “Mama.” She had great pride in her children and grandchildren and loved sharing stories and pictures of them with all she met.

A memorial fund has been established.

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