Carolyn Balkus Varn, 87 of Solon, died Friday, May 11 at Mercy Hospital in Iowa City from a sudden illness.  Funeral Mass will be 10:30 a.m. Monday, May 14, 2007 at St. Mary's Catholic Church in Solon.  Visitation will be from 4 to 8 p.m. Sunday and for an hour prior to services Monday at the church.  There will be a 7 p.m. vigil.  Burial will be 10:00 a.m. Tuesday at Calvary Cemetery in Omaha, NE.

Carolyn was born September 11, 1919 in Omaha, NE, the daughter of Michael and Cecelia (Waszgis) Balkus.  She married Leonard Varn on May 12, 1942 in Omaha.

Carolyn had an amazing work ethic and was a hard worker her whole life.  She was a news "junkie," especially political and financial reporting.  She loved to read, work puzzles, and play board games, Scrabble in particular.  Her mind was active until the end and her spirit indomitable.  Carolyn loved angels and her family gave her many angel figurines which she displayed throughout her home.  May she now forever be at rest with her beloved angels.

Carolyn is survived by her children: Michael (Janice) Varn of Gordon, NE, Sandra Varn of Cedar Rapids, Gary (Ann) Varn of Marion, John Varn of Solon, and Richard (Kari) Varn of Des Moines; grandchildren: Katherine (Steve) Hawkins of Hyde Park, NY, Sarah Varn of Colorado Springs, CO, Emily Varn of Des Moines, Hannah Varn of Marion, Abby Varn of Marion, and Jacob Varn of Des Moines; sister Helen McCoy of Papillion, NE; and special friends Julia Burton and Al (Brenda) Welsch.  Carolyn was preceded in death by her parents; her husband Leonard Varn; sisters Agnes Nelson and Nellie Perry; brothers Joe, John, and Bernard Balkus; and nephews Bernard Balkus Jr. and Eric Balkus.

In lieu of flowers, memorials may be directed to St Mary's Catholic Church, Solon, IA or Tanager Place, Cedar Rapids, IA.