James Carroll

James Thomas Carroll, 92, lifelong resident of Austin MN and more recently of Kansas City MO and Willmar MN passed away on Tuesday, May 25, 2010 at Rice Memorial Hospital, Willmar Minnesota. Jim was especially proud of his Irish heritage. His mother, Katherine Sheridan was born near Westport in County Mayo. His grandfather, Michael Carroll was born in Jamestown, County Kilkenny. Jim was born December 14, 1917 in North Chicago, Ill. At the age of four, after his mothers' death, he moved with his brothers to Austin to live with his Aunts Agnes and Anna and Uncle Frank Carroll. Jim graduated from St. Augustine High School in 1937. He was inducted into the Army on March 21, 1942 at Fort Des Moines. He took basic training at Fort Leonard Wood and was stationed at Camp Berkeley, Abilene, Texas. Following training in California on desert maneuvers, he departed for Europe from Fort Dix New Jersey on March 23, 1944. As a radio operator assigned to Headquarters of the 90th Division Reconnaissance Troop under General Patton, Jim served in campaigns in Northern France, Rhineland, and Ardennes. He also took part in the Invasion of Normandy, landing on Utah Beach on D-Day plus 2. Jim was awarded the Bronze Star for his service and was discharged on October 1, 1945. He married Marjorie Pless on June 21, 1943, at Queen of Angels Church. Their union was blessed by three sons and one daughter. Jim was a longtime member of the Knights of Columbus and American Legion Post #91. He retired from Hormels after 42 years. He enjoyed ballroom dancing, golf, creating stained glass panels and bowling. Survivors include four children, Michael (Mary), of Houston, Texas: Patrick (Julie), of Willmar, Minnesota: Daniel (Susan), of Davenport, Iowa: and Kathleen Carroll, Bonner Springs, Kansas; seven grandchildren, Wendy (Joe) Tamney, Lisa (Gabe) Mauldin, Justin, Danny (Valerie), Bill (Stacey), Nicholas, Rebecca Carroll and 13 great-grandchildren, brother, Francis of Austin; sister-in-law, Florence Carroll of California; and many nieces and nephews. He is preceded in death by his wife, Marjorie; granddaughter, Christina; brothers, Edward and Raymond; an infant sister and his parents. A Funeral Mass will be celebrated at 10 a.m. on Saturday, May 29, 2010 at Queen of Angels Catholic Church with Father Dale Tupper officiating. There will be a 7 p.m. Rosary on Friday at Mayer Funeral Home where friends may call from 4 to 8 p.m. and also one hour before the service at the church on Saturday. Interment will be in Calvary Cemetery with military rites by American Legion Post #91. Memorials are preferred to Jay C Hormel Nature Center or the Austin Catholic Schools.

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