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Carroll Etchen
December 15, 1926 - February 8, 2025
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- Clear Lake - Carroll Etchen, 98 met his Savior on
Saturday, February 8, 2025, at Oakwood Care Center, Clear Lake, Iowa.
A funeral service will be held at 11:00 a.m. Saturday March 1, 2025, at
Zion Lutheran Church, 112 North 4th Street, Clear Lake, Iowa, with Lay
Minister Al Berge officiating. Visitation will be held one hour prior to
the service at the church. Burial will take place at Klemme Cemetery,
Klemme, Iowa.
Born on December 15, 1926, in Goodell, Iowa, Carroll entered the world
alongside his twin brother, Merle, the son of Albert and Louise
(Greiman) Etchen. He graduated from Klemme High School in 1944. He and his
brother, Merle, proudly served in the U.S. Army during World War II,
stationed in Germany, where Carroll also played in the Army band.
In 1950, Carroll married Luella Katter, and together they were blessed
with a daughter, Teri. He farmed in the Clear Lake area, and did
custom work for others. He was known for his strong work ethic, putting in
long hours to build a life he was proud of.
On July 18, 1982, Carroll married Elwilda “El” (Fink) Bruns, and they
built a wonderful life together at Crestview Farm in Clear Lake. They
found joy in giving back, providing college scholarships for graduates of
Zion Lutheran Church. The couple spent many winters at their home in Port
Richey, Florida, and loved traveling, taking short motorhome trips, and
going on cruises with family and friends.
A self-taught mechanic, Carroll could fix just about anything. He took
great pride in his beautiful farm, dedicating countless hours to its
landscaping, gardens, and shop. Along with his brothers Delbert and Elwyn,
he restored antique tractors and machinery, proudly displaying them on his
farm. In 2013, Carroll and El were honored with the title of "Prettiest
Farm in Iowa" by Our Iowa Magazine.
Carroll was a devoted fan of Iowa State Cyclone football, holding season
tickets and enjoying tailgates with his daughter, Teri, and her
husband, Mark. He was known as the best grill chef at the games. His
biggest joy, however, was hosting his legendary Fourth of July BBQ at the
farm, where he proudly displayed 600 American flags in honor of his
country. The highlight for family and friends was always the go-kart races
around the farm.
A deeply patriotic and religious man, Carroll lived by his famous sayings:
"Think positive," "Stop and smell the roses," and "Right way, Wrong way,
Etchen’s way."
Carroll was able to celebrate his 98th birthday at oakwood Care Center
with his close family and friends. Carroll’s family is deeply grateful for
the loving care provided by the Touched by an Angel caregivers, Oakwood
Care Center and staff, and St. Croix Hospice.
Carroll is survived by his daughter, Teri (Mark) Larson of Ames, IA;
brothers, Elwyn (Donna “Aunie”) Etchen, Delbert Etchen; nieces and
nephews, Debbie Etchen (Mark Nelson), Laurie Etchen, Linda Hendel,
Benjamin and Rachel Hendel, Vincent (Thida) Etchen, Anthony and Vinchenzo
Etchen, Cynthia Etchen, Mark (Becky) Etchen, Kyla (David) Rodgers &
family, Michelle Wrighte, (Tim Laudry) & family, Bryan (Anastasiia) Etchen,
Mike (Grace) Kuhlers, Connie (Bill) Thompson, Robert Etchen, David Etchen.
Special friends; Tom and Georgia Ashland and their daughter Amber, along
with many other relatives and friends.
Carroll is preceded in death by his parents Albert and Louise Etchen; wife
Elwilda “El” Etchen in 2023; siblings, Eloise (Elmer) Kuhlers, Winton
(Dorothy) Etchen, Darlene (Marvin) Fink and Merle (LaVonne) Etchen.
In lieu of flowers, memorials may be directed to a charity of your choice,
St. Croix Hospice, or Alzheimer’s Iowa Chapter, 317 7th Ave SE, Suite 402
Cedar Rapids, Iowa 5201, in Carroll’s memory.
Visitation: Saturday, March 1, 2025, 10:00AM, Zion Lutheran Church, 112 N
4th St, Clear Lake, IA 50428
Service: Saturday, March 1, 2025, 11:00AM, Zion Lutheran Church, 112 N 4th
St, Clear Lake, IA 50428
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source: © Hogan Bremer Moore Colonial Chapels, Crematory & Cemetery
- Ward Van Slyke Colonial Chapel 310 First Ave N. Clear Lake, IA 50428;
- phone 641-357-2193 [ www.colonialchapels.com ]
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