Celeste Herbold

Celeste Gavin Herbold of rural Mingo, Iowa, passed away peacefully in her home surrounded by her family on Dec. 17, 2011. Born in Valley Junction, Iowa, on July 3, 1927, to William Harrison Gavin and Jane Ann (Carmody) Gavin, she graduated from St. Joseph's Academy in 1944. During World War II, she sang for the troops on the hospital ships with the USO. She married Gerald Herbold of Mingo, Iowa, on Feb. 15, 1947, at Sacred Heart Catholic Church in Valley Junction. They moved to the family farm where they raised eight children: Cathy, Connie, Colleen, Ceil, Chris, Colin, Carol, and Cristen. Celeste was active in the community. She was Chair of the Jasper County Republican Party, member of the Mingo American Legion Auxiliary, Vice-President of the Davenport Diocesan Council of Catholic Women, member of the Jasper County Library Board, member of the Jasper County Zoning Commission, tour guide at Terrace Hill, a Consumer Advocate on the Iowa Board of Nursing Examiners, President of the Sacred Heart Valeria Altar and Rosary Society, and served on the Board of the Jasper County Red Cross. In 1981, she was elected the first female chair of "Iowans for Right to Work" and was recognize...[more]

View Full Online Obituary and Tributes

y the Iowa Secretary of Agriculture with the "Friend of Agriculture Award." Celeste's faith provided her comfort throughout her life. Her proudest achievement and joy came from raising her eight children and her close relationship with her twelve grandchildren and ten great-grandchildren. She is survived by her children; Connie Herbold of Urbandale, Colleen Carpenter of Urbandale, Ceil (Rodger) Slings of Prairie City, Chris (Vikki) Herbold of Mingo, Colin Herbold of Mingo, Carol (Alvin) Swift of Mingo, and Cristen (Jim) Carlson of McHenry, Illinois; and her sister Gloria Gavin Shuey of Santa Rosa, California. She is preceded in death by her husband, Gerald, her beloved daughter Cathleen Herbold-Connolly, her parents, and her brothers, Philip and William Gavin. Visitation and Rosary will be held at the Immaculate Conception Catholic Church in Colfax, Iowa, on Wednesday, Dec. 21, beginning at 2:00 p.m. The family will be present from 5 p.m. until 8 p.m. A Mass of Christian Burial will be held at the church on Thursday, Dec. 22, at 10:30 a.m., followed by internment at McKeever cemetery. Memorials may be made to Celeste Herbold Memorial Fund, proceeds to go to Hospice of Jasper County, Immaculate Conception Catholic Church, Blank Children's Hospital Neonatal Unit and the Mingo Volunteer Fire Department.