Loren 'Fossil' Carolan

LOREN JOSEPH "FOSSIL" CAROLAN

Newhall

Loren Carolan, 79, died at his home Friday, Jan. 7, 2022, surrounded by his loving family. Mass of Christian Burial will be held at 11 a.m. Friday, Jan. 14, at St. Paul Catholic Church, Newhall. Visitation will be held at the church from 9 a.m. until time of service. Interment will be at a later date at St. Benedict Cemetery, Decorah.

Loren was born Sept. 20, 1942, to William Francis Carolan and Pearl Frances (Gaul) Carolan in Decorah, Iowa. He graduated from Decorah High School in 1960, where he participated in wrestling and football. He served his country in the U.S. Army, stationed in Berlin, Germany, where he was witness to the building of the Berlin Wall.

Loren married Kelly Armstrong on May 22, 1965, at St. Agnes Catholic Church in rural Cresco, Iowa. They moved to Newhall, where they raised five children. He was a proud Irish man with a slight Irish accent, loved many things, but most of all, loved being a family man and was "dad" to many.

Loren worked for Cherry Burrell, which is now Evergreen Packaging, in Cedar Rapids for 35 years. His job took him along with his best friend and brother, Larry Carolan, around the world to places like Egypt, China, India and Japan. He also served as a proud Union Steward for several years. After retirement, he worked for his son, Lonnie, and son-in-law, Cory, for 10 years, working with a young roofing crew. He would help on the jobs and did yard work which allowed him to learn the unique language of roofers to which Kelly did not appreciate too much when he got home at night.

Loren was a member of St. Paul Catholic Church, Newhall Legion, Lions Club and the Newhall Volunteer Fire Department for 20 years. He played men's softball and was an avid bowler. He enjoyed fishing, playing cards with his family and he especially loved spending time with his children, grandchildren and great-grandchildren, attending their school and sporting events. He started making homemade pizza for Christmas and would collect coins all year to fill jars which he proudly would give to his grandchildren, these becoming faithful family traditions for many years to follow.

Loren is survived by his wife of 56 years, Kelly of Newhall; five children, Lori (Scott) Stiff of Wellsville, Kan., Lottie Evans of Anniston, Ala., Lonnie (Amanda) Carolan of Vinton, Leslie (Cory) McKibben of Vinton and Lance Carolan of Riverside; 12 grandchildren, Jordon (Erica) Stiff and Jaden Stiff of Wellsville, Kan., Lauren Carolan and Kaeli Evans of Vinton, Paityn Evans of Newhall, Clarissa, Hudson and Brie Carolan of Vinton, Keegan and Maylee McKibben of Vinton and Brylee and Brogan Carolan of Riverside; three great-grandchildren, Leland and Legend Counter of Newhall and Harper Joy Kite of Vinton; sister, Kaye (Wallie) Shearer of Harford, Wis.; sisters and brothers-in-law, Ruby Carolan of Shellsburg, Cheryl (Gary) Gunderson of Canton, Minn., Peggy (Gregg) Gustafson of Waukee, Colleen Armstrong of Des Moines, Oscar (Diane) Armstrong of Mable, Minn., and Walter (LuAnn) Armstrong of Ames; and many nieces, nephews and great-nieces and nephews.

Loren was preceded in death by his parents; brother and best friend, Larry Carolan; in-laws, Berchman and Alice Armstrong; and grandson, Justin Stiff.

Van Steenhuyse-Teahen Funeral Home of Vinton is caring for Loren and his family. Condolences may be left at ww.teahenfuneralhome.com.