Carolyn K. Wilslef

Carolyn K. Wilslef, age 78, of Miles, Iowa passed away Monday, August 23, 2021 at the University of Iowa Hospitals and Clinics, Iowa City. A funeral service will be held at 2:00 pm, Saturday, August 28, 2021 at St. John’s Lutheran Church, Preston, with a visitation from 12-2:00pm, prior to the service at the Church. Burial will take place in the Preston Cemetery. Memorials may be given in Carolyn’s memory to St. John's Lutheran Church.

Carolyn would likely say, “Being a Grandma and Great-Grandma is the thing!” She loved spending quality time with the great-grandchildren and grandchildren, often playing games, laughing and just carrying-on. She, and her baking, will be missed dearly by all the grandchildren.

Carolyn was born November 27, 1942 in Des Moines, IA, the daughter of John and Norma (Zirbel) DeHoet. She graduated from Brooklyn High School with the Class of 1961. On March 29, 1964, Carolyn married Roger Wilslef, in Zwingle, IA. They raised four children and celebrated fifty-four years of marriage until Roger’s passing October 14, 2008.

Carolyn and Roger enjoyed taking the kids camping at Pleasant Creek Campground near Bellevue. Carolyn indulged in reading her entire life, always fiction, and often a western or romance novel. She always wanted a “hard-copy” of her books, and she could be found reading in the kitchen before anyone woke in the house. As she sent her kids off to school, they each got a kiss, when they got home there was always supper. All the kids learned to play euchre at an early age.

Carolyn was a proud member of the Mayflower Society and the Daughters of the American Revolution. She kept up with the Hawkeye Basketball team and liked watching the Cubs.

Carolyn enjoyed her career as a Parts Specialist at McEleney Motors in Clinton for many years. She was also proud to work at Heritage Motors and the Volkswagen Dealership, both in Clinton; and Clinton Engines and Pacific Coast Feather Factory, both in Maquoketa.

Carolyn is survived by two sons, Ronald (Mary) Wilslef, of Miles, IA and Richard (Kelli) Wilslef, of Lost Nation, IA; two daughters, Rebecca (Dave Ward) Wilslef, of Sabula, IA and Rachel (Markus) Reber, of Bern, Switzerland; thirteen grandchildren; 6 great grandchildren; a brother, Dick (Linda) DeHoet, of Jasper, IA; three sisters, Pat Diesing, of Maquoketa, IA, Mary Catherine (Doug) Taylor, of Putnam, CT, and Dena Mandersthied, of Wilton, IA; and two brothers-in-law, Harlan and Delbert Wilslef, both of Preston. Carolyn is preceded in death by her husband, Roger; brother, Steve DeHoet; sisters-in-law, Marilyn Wilslef and Sherrie DeHoet; and brothers-in-law, Dave Mandersthied and George Diesing.