Caroline Buckley

Caroline Buckley, 89, of Redwood Falls died peacefully on Friday, January 26, 2018 at Sunwood Good Samaritan Care Center. Mass of Christian Burial will be held at 1 p.m. on Thursday, February 1, 2018 from St. Catherine’s Catholic Church in Redwood Falls with burial to follow in the church cemetery. Visitation will be held Wednesday, January 31, 2018, from 4 until 8 p.m., with a Parish Prayer Service at 4 p.m., all at Nelson-Hillestad Funeral Home in Redwood Falls. Visitation will continue on Thursday, from noon until 1 p.m., at the church.

The family requests that memorials be directed to the Redwood County Food Shelf.

Arrangements are with Nelson-Hillestad Funeral and Cremation Service of Redwood Falls. E-mail condolences may be sent via www.nelson-hillestad.com .

Caroline Violet (Johnson) Buckley, the daughter of Israel and Alma (Windhorn) Johnson, was born on February 23, 1928 in Lake Crystal. She graduated from Mankato High School in 1946, and went on to earn a nursing degree from Northwestern School of Nursing in Minneapolis in 1950.

On July 15, 1950, Caroline married John Buckley at Holy Rosary Catholic Church in North Mankato, and afterward the couple made their life-long home in Redwood Falls. John and Caroline were blessed with 67 wonderful years of marriage and four children.

Caroline was an active member of St. Catherine’s Parish, where she served as organist for many years and helped to coordinate various forms of charitable outreach. She also volunteered in the local community, especially through many years of service as coordinator of the Redwood County Food Shelf. But above all, Caroline was a true homemaker – a devoted wife, mother, grandmother and great-grandmother, and a good friend to many. She mastered the blessings and challenges of life with deep faith, common sense, a strong will, and a good sense of humor – qualities she carried until the end.

Caroline is survived by her loving husband John; her children Jim (Margie), Paul (Mary) and John Jr. (special friend Brenda Rasmussen) all of Redwood Falls, and Sr. M. Joanna of Waukesha, Wisconsin; grandchildren Tim, Katie, Kris (Josh), Matt (Laura), Andy (Taylor), Erin (Cory), Melissa, Allison, and Jessica; 17 great-grandchildren; and many other relatives and friends. She was preceded in death by her parents; and her siblings Raymond, William and Marcella.

We extend our gratitude to the staff at Sunwood Care Center for all they did for Mom over the last 1-1/2 years. Above all, we give thanks to God for the gift of her long and fruitful life. May she rest in peace.