Age 74 of Cottage Grove
Passed away peacefully on Sunday, November 14, 2021 with family by her side. Carolyn is survived by the love of her life, James Peiffer; daughter, Angela (Peiffer) Quintanilla; grandchildren, Olivia and Alexander Quintanilla; sister, Kathleen (Jerome) Patterson; brother-in-law, Michael (Donna) Peiffer; sister-in-law, Patricia (David) Evans; numerous nieces, nephews, friends and “her boy” Ernie. She is preceded in death by her parents, Rose and Maurice Gerlich; her sisters, Mary Lou (Jack) Hayes, Maureen (John Sr.) Lanning and brother Francis Gerlich.
Carolyn and Jim were high school sweethearts, married for 54 years. Carolyn held a wide variety of jobs, from switchboard operator to store manager, as well as an accounting associate. She was always seeking out something new to try. Carolyn was devoted to her family. She was a patient and gentle mother, always there for her daughter. She was incredibly proud to be a grandmother, and continually thought of ways to make them feel special and pass on family traditions. Carolyn enjoyed family celebrations, spending time at home and at the lake gardening. She will be missed by all who knew and loved her, and whose lives she touched.
A Celebration of Life will be held on Thursday, December 23, 2021 at 7 pm at Roberts Funeral Home, 8108 Barbara Ave., Inver Grove Heights.
In lieu of flowers, memorials can be sent in support of Alzheimer’s Research.