Ray Pollastrini, 88 of Carroll, died Monday, August 18, 2014 at his residence in Carroll surrounded by his family.
Mass of the Christian Burial will be at 10:30 a.m. Thursday, August 21, 2014 at St. Lawrence Catholic Church in Carroll. The Celebrant will be Fr. Timothy Schott. Music will be by Kate Cuddy and the St. Lawrence Choir with Jake Gute as Cantor. Lectors for the funeral mass will be Matt Pollastrini and Luke Hukee. Gift Bearers will be: Liz Yetmar, Anna Nelson, Jenna Hukee, and Laura Pollastrini. Eucharistic Ministers will be Kathy Stein and John and Diane Staples. Honorary Casket Bearers will be: Bill Beidler, Ron Kerwood, Tony Stalzer, Paul Schulte, Bob Sapp, Leo Steffen, and John Zimmerman. Casket Bearers will be: Sam Yetmar, Peter Nelson, Jake Hukee, Luke Hukee, Tony Pollastrini, David Yetmar, and Dave Nelson. Burial will be in Mt. Olivet Cemetery in Carroll with military honors conducted by the Carroll American Legion.
Friends may call at the Sharp Funeral Home in Carroll after 5 p.m. on Wednesday where there will be a Christian Wake Service at 7 p.m.
The casket will be moved to St. Lawrence Church at 9:30 a.m. Thursday where visitation will resume until time of the funeral mass. Memorials may be left at the funeral home or the church for Kuemper Catholic Schools Foundation or St. Lawrence Catholic Church Endowment Fund.
Funeral arrangements are under the direction of the Sharp Funeral Home in Carroll and online condolences may be left for Ray’s family at www.sharpfuneral.com.
Raymond Robert Pollastrini was born on November 15, 1925 in Clinton, Iowa the son of Ottavio and Giulia (Salani) Pollastrini. The family lived in Collodi, Italy until 1937 when they immigrated to the United States and settled in Carroll, Iowa.
Ray’s father purchased the Carroll Candy Kitchen in 1938 from the Marcucci family and introduced the caramel apple to western Iowa.
At the age of 18, Ray was drafted into the United States Armed Forces. He served in the European Theatre during World War II from 1944-1946. Ray earned the combat infantry badge during the allies march to Berlin. Later, Ray served in the Army of Occupation.
On October 18, 1954 Ray married the love of his life, Betty Ann Gute at Sts. Peter and Paul Catholic Church in Carroll. Although the candy business had evolved into a downtown café, named Pokey’s, the copper kettle continued to be fired every fall to usher in the caramel apple season. Ray spent countless hours stirring secret ingredients into a caramel that is legendary in the town of Carroll. In 1997, when the family business came to an end, the caramel recipe was passed on to Ray’s daughter and son-in-law, Gina and Dave Nelson.
Ray was very proud of Kuemper Catholic Schools, serving on numerous committees, including treasurer of the school board for several years. He enjoyed relaxing with his coffee group, playing cards, golfing, hunting, and “sipping” Paisano (Italian red wine). He was a lifelong member of St. Lawrence Parish and the Carroll American Legion.
Survivors include his wife of 60 years, Betty Pollastrini of Carroll; his children: Julie (Bruce) Hukee of Urbandale, Mark (Cindy) Pollastrini of Newton, Maria (fiancé Jim Huston) Pollastrini of Des Moines, Gina (Dave) Nelson of Carroll, Paula (David) Yetmar of Carroll, and Dr. Matt Pollastrini of Waverly; 11 grandchildren; 8 great-grandchildren; his sisters-in-law, Betty Gute of Carroll, and Mickey Gute of Carroll; as well as many nieces, nephews, other extended relatives and many friends.
Ray was preceded in death by his parents; his brother Ido Pollastrini; and his parents-in-law, Leo and Ann Gute.
