Carolyn Hejlik

Carolyn Hejlik, 67, of West Des Moines, passed away on Friday, May 2nd, 2025, at her home surrounded by family. 

Funeral services will be held at 10:30 AM on Friday, May 30th, at St. Boniface Catholic Church in Garner, Iowa, with Fr. Andrew Marr officiating. Burial will be at St. John’s Catholic Cemetery in Duncan.

Visitation will be held from 4:00-7:00 PM on Thursday, May 29th, at St. Boniface Catholic Church, with a Scriptural wake service at 3:30 PM, followed by a rosary. Cataldo Funeral Home is in charge of arrangements.

Carolyn Jean Hejlik, the daughter of Robert and Barbara (Haugo) Best, was born August 31^st, 1957, in Britt, Iowa. She graduated from Garner-Hayfield High School in 1975 and continued her education at NIACC, where she obtained her associate degree. On December 17, 1977, she was united in marriage to Ralph J. Hejlik, Jr. at St. Boniface Catholic Church. They lived in New Hampshire for several years, where they enjoyed many winters of skiing and summers of boating. While in New Hampshire, they welcomed Kelly in 1985. They returned to Iowa in 1986 and welcomed Emily in 1990. 

Carolyn enjoyed being a soccer, basketball and dog mom, and activities such as baking, playing cards, entertaining, swimming and golfing. Most of all, she cherished spending time with her family and friends. Later in life, she fully embraced being a grandma to Gianna and Mia, showing them the ropes and serving as a fantastic role model. She meant so much to so many and wore many hats; advisor, best friend, grandma, mother, mother-in-law, sister, aunt and cheerleader for all. 

Carolyn is survived by her two daughters, Kelly (Tanner) Pachis of Evanston, Illinois, and Emily Hejlik of Portland, Maine; grandchildren, Gianna and Mia Pachis; her mother, Barbara Best of Garner; siblings, Kathy (Chuck) Goll of Garner, Juli Campbell of Omaha, Nebraska, Jackie (Marv) Young of Garner, sister-in-law Jane Best of Bloomington, Minnesota, and Susie (Brian) Beeck of Sheboygan, Wisconsin; and numerous nieces and nephews in addition to many Hejlik brothers and sisters-in law. 

She was preceded in death by her husband, Ralph, Jr. in 2019; her father, Robert Best; parents-in-law, Ralph and Flossie Hejlik; brother, Joe Best; and brothers-in-law, Larry Best and Jim McEnany, Kenny Hejlik and Gary Hejlik.