Carol Molak-Eich, 82 of Arcadia, died Sunday, December 28, 2025 at her home in Arcadia surrounded by her family.
Mass of the Christian Burial will be celebrated at 10 a.m., Wednesday, December 31, 2025 at St. John Catholic Church in Arcadia. The Celebrant will be Fr. Terry Roder. Mass Servers will be Mia and Mallory Milligan. Music will be by Katie Holtz, Jeana Schroeder and Erica Molak. Lectors for the Funeral Mass will be Tim Molak, Kate Hallick, and Brad Hallick. Gift Bearers will be Grace Molak, Maryn Murrell, and Emma Hicketheir. Eucharistic Minister will be Tara Thomsen. Honorary Casket Bearers will be: Diane Vonnahme, Deanne Dentlinger, Sharon Bierl, Mary Lou Kraus, Karen Brightwell, Joyce Bierl, Dee Schoessler, Alyce Bierl, Rita Ann Bruch, Cindy Schweers, and Melissa Schroeder. Casket Bearers will be: Nate Molak, Cooper Molak, Chris Halbur, Cole Halbur, Ross Halbur, Jacob Hicketheir, Caden Molak, and Eddy Figuera. Burial will be in St. John Cemetery in Arcadia.
A visitation will be held from 5-7 p.m. on Tuesday at the Sharp Funeral Home in Carroll with a Christian Wake Service at 7 p.m. The casket will be moved to St. John Church on Wednesday morning where additional visitation will be from 9-9:45 a.m. In lieu of flowers, memorials may be left at the funeral home or the church for Kuemper Catholic School Foundation or the St. Anthony Cancer Center.
Funeral arrangements are under the guidance of the Sharp Funeral Home in Carroll and online condolences may be left for Carol’s family at www.sharpfuneral.com.
Carol was born on August 24, 1943 in Carroll, Iowa, the daughter of Ted and Margaret (Schroeder) Staples. She attended St. John Grade School and graduated in 1961 from Kuemper Catholic High School. Following her schooling, she moved to Omaha and was employed at Mutual of Omaha and Hawkins Construction as a secretary. Later, she worked as a sales representative for Woodman of the World with her territory covering, Iowa, Minnesota, and Nebraska.
In 1964, Carol married Frank Molak in Omaha, Nebraska; together they had 4 children: Bobby, Frank, Kim, and John. In 1998, Frank lost his battle with cancer and Carol later married Wayne Eich. Wayne and Carol enjoyed traveling; they traveled to nearly every state in the United States and also enjoyed trips to Mexico. A couple of their fondest trips were to the Masters Golf Tournament in Augusta, Georgia, and to the Kentucky Derby in 2022 with family and some of their closest friends.
Carol was a member of St. John’s Church where she served in numerous capacities over the years and Carol and Wayne were instrumental in many of the functions and renovations at the Arcadia Legion Hall. Her greatest joy that brought light to her life was her children and grandchildren; She was their greatest supporter with all of their athletic events, dance recitals, or whatever activities they participated in.
Carol is survived by her husband Wayne Eich of Arcadia; her children: Bobby (Sue) Molak of Carroll, Kim (Chad) Murrell of Carroll; Frank Molak of Atlanta, GA and John (Erica) Molak of Chicago, IL; her step-daughters: Faye (Rodney) Halbur and Mary Hicketheir; 8 grandchildren; 6 great-grandchildren; 5 step-grandchildren; 7 step great-grandchildren; her brother-in-law, Tim (Noel) Molak of California; as well as nieces, nephews, other extended relatives and many friends.
Carol was preceded in death by her parents; her husband Frank Molak; her brother, Don (Gail) Staples; her brother-in-law, Don (JoAnne) Brummer; her parents-in-law, Dr. Frank and Grace Molak; and a niece, Sherri Greenlee.
