Madonna Wilson

Monday, April 22, 2019 3:08 pm

Madonna Wilson, 93, of Decorah, died Sunday, March 31, 2019, at the Winneshiek Medical Center in Decorah. Mass of Christian Burial was at 10:30 a.m., Saturday, April 6, at St. Bridget’s Catholic Church in Bluffton, with Rev. Dan Knipper presiding. Burial was in the church cemetery. Visitation was from 4 to 7 p.m. Friday, April 5, at the Schluter – Balik Funeral Home, 604 South Ave in Decorah and also after 9:30 a.m. at the church in Bluffton Saturday morning. Organist was Mary Beth Bouska. Cantor was Cindy Schissel. Hymns were “I Have Loved You,” “You Are Mine,” “I Am the Bread of Life,” “Goin Home” and “Lord of the Dance.” Lectors were Carmen Covington, Kourtni Alcock and Abby Abreu. Offertory gift bearers were Mia Bondy, Logan Keller, Ava Holthaus, Hayden Holthaus and Anna Phillips. Eucharistic minister was Sharon Christopher. Casket bearers were Merlyn Gossman, Guy Williams, Loren Kriener, Adam Kriener, Kole Keller, Jared Keller, Ryan Keller and Bo Bondy. Interment was at St. Bridget’s Catholic Cemetery in Bluffton. Arrangements were handled by Schluter – Balik Funeral Home, Decorah.

Madonna Agnes (Carolan) Wilson was born Aug. 13, 1925, the daughter of Stephen and Florence (Willson) Carolan in Decorah. She graduated from Rudolphinum Catholic School in Protivin. After graduation, Madonna worked at Bishop’s Cafeteria in downtown Cedar Rapids. She married Leland “Cy” Wilson June 11, 1946, at St. Bridget’s Catholic Church in Bluffton. Madonna and Cy moved to Winneshiek County in 1951 and began farming. Together they had three daughters: Vernelle, Marlene and Brenda. She cooked at North Winneshiek School for several years, as well as raised her daughters at home.

Madonna is survived by her daughters: Vernelle (Merlyn) Gossman, Decorah, Marlene (Guy) Williams, Cedar Rapids and Brenda (Loren) Kriener, Ft. Atkinson; eight grandchildren and fourteen great-grandchildren: Terri (Paul) Kole, Jared, Ryan and Logan Keller; Traci (Bob) Bondy, Kourtni Alcock, Mia and Bo Bondy; Carmen (Brad) Allyson and Mitchell Covington; Kim (Kelly) Ethan, Ava and Hayden Holthaus; Angela (Aaron) Antonia, William and Anna Phillips; Erin (fiancé, Jeremy Soifer) Kriener; Abby (Alex) Abreu and Adam Kriener; brother-in-law, Jim (Leone) Wilson, Coupeville, Wash.; sisters-in-law, Lucille Wilson, Hopkinton and Shirley Terry, Independence; as well as several nieces and nephews and a special aunt: Ann Aschim, Decorah.

Madonna was preceded in death by her husband, Leland “Cy” Wilson in 2009; parents, Stephen and Florence (Willson) Carolan. Father and mother-in-law: John and Hattie (Gates) Wilson; brothers-in-law: Lloyd (Marilyn) Wilson, Ralph Wilson, Duane Wilson, Delbert (Marie) Wilson and John Terry; sisters-in-law: Eileen (Floyd) Boelter, Thelma Hand, Virginia (Burr) McFarland.

Madonna loved being Irish. She was enamored of Daniel O’Donnell, especially when he wore his black, leather pants. She certainly had the luck of the Irish, never more evident than when you were playing cards against her. She enjoyed playing Euchre with both jokers included, and the jokers landed in her hand more than they didn’t, earning her the nickname of Grandma Joker. She was an incredible cook. There may not be a person living in Northeast Iowa that she didn’t feed at least once. She always provided three full, organic meals per day and could feed a dozen drop-ins on a moment’s notice without an ounce of hesitation.

Madonna loved to dance. She used to say that she would rather waltz than eat. It makes perfect sense that she met the love of her life at a dance, and Cy remained her dance partner for 63 years. We know that they’ve already taken a few spins around Heaven’s dance floor. She enjoyed crocheting and made afghans and scarves for her family, including the dogs. Madonna loved her Hawkeyes, especially the men’s basketball team. She loved her family fiercely, even the Minnesota and Michigan fans. She loved us even in the tough times. Especially in the tough times. We always knew we had her in our corner, armed with her rosary beads, unending compassion and her feisty Irish spirit. She was as faith-filled as they come and was our prayer warrior. She may have actually worn out rosary beads. If you knew her, there is no doubt that she prayed for you at one point or another. We are certain she was ushered to the front of the line, and we are pretty sure she entered Heaven’s gates with both jokers in her pocket. While we can’t imagine a world without her, we were lucky to have her for so long.

Rest easy, Grandma Joker. You’ve more than earned it.