Caroline Jirik, age 103, of Mahnomen, Minnesota, died Tuesday, April 21, 2009 at the Mahnomen Health Center Nursing Home in Mahnomen.

Caroline Vlk, daughter of John and Josephine Strnad Vlk was born on November 2, 1905 near Hayfield, Iowa. She later moved with her family to the Bejou, Minnesota, area. In 1930, Caroline was united in marriage to Albert Z. Jirik and the couple made their home in Rosedale Township, Mahnomen County. Together they operated a farm and raised their four children. Caroline was an active farmwife - helping milk the cows, raising chickens, and butchering the pigs, all while doing the household chores, sewing, and baking. In 1977, Albert and Caroline moved into Mahnomen with their son, David. After Albert's death in 1982, Caroline continue to make her home in Mahnomen. Although she was still independent, at the age of 93, she moved in the Mahnomen Health Center Nursing Home where she truly appreciated being pampered and cared for.

Caroline was very proud of her Czechoslovakian and Bohemian heritage and was known for often making wonderful ethnic treats of sauerkraut and Kolaches. Her faith was the foundation of her life and she was a devoted member of St. Michael's Catholic Church in Mahnomen. She also loved to sew, quilt, and crochet.

Caroline is survived by two daughters, Marcella (Ellwood) Gish of Kinney, MN, and Yvonne Coffman of Keller, TX; a daughter-in-law, Beverly (Elmer) Schoenborn of Mahnomen; a sister, Agnes Shileny of Cresco, Iowa; six grandchildren: Michele (Ron) Nosie, Diane (Gordon) Hopkins, Steve Owens, Lisa Scogin, Catherine (Ryan) Thompson, and Daniel (April) Jirik; and nine great grandchildren. She was preceded in death by her husband, Albert; two sons, William and David; four brothers, Henry, Frank, Joe, and John; one sister, Mary; and a son-in-law, Lloyd Linnell.

Mass of Christian Burial will be held at 2:00 pm on Monday, April 27, 2009 at St. Michael's Catholic Church in Mahnomen. Visitation will be held on Sunday, April 26th from 5:00 pm to 7:00 pm, with a Prayer Service at 6:30 pm followed by a Rosary all at Anderson-Mattson Funeral Home in Mahnomen. Visitation will also be held one hour prior to Mass on Monday at St. Michael's Catholic Church in Mahnomen.