Northern Wyoming News - Serving the Big Horn Basin for over 100 years

Caroline Francis Gentilini DeCroo, 87, passed away on July 15, 2023 at the Worland Medical Center surround by her family.

She was born on December 9, 1935 in Rocks Springs, WY to Frank and Lucy (Calligaro) Gentilini. She grew up in Rock Springs and was the oldest of six siblings.

Caroline married Gerald "Jerry" DeCroo on December 12, 1953. To this union brought six children, Carl Ray, Frank, Jerry, Lucy, Randy, and Tammy. Jerry and Caroline lived in many states while Jerry served in the Air Force, oh the stories she would tell. During this time Caroline learned to knit while Jerry was stationed away from home and many friends and relatives benefitted from her sweaters, blankets, hats and of course those Christmas Stockings!

Jerry and Caroline were married for 35 years until his passing on March of 1989.

Caroline loved the Lord, her family, and her friends. She had many adventures in her 87 years, including working as a radio dispatcher with Worland Services, but her passion, as a mother raising her family, was cooking and baking, especially with Sonja Smith. Their 50 years of friendship saw them open a craft store (Alley Crafts), make and sell cabbage burgers, cooked for After Five women's group, baked cookies at Christmas time (their all-time record for cookies was 136 dozen). She loved making chocolate chip cookies for everyone in town.

Caroline had a kind soul and loved everyone she met. She struggled with mobility but that never stopped her from being a den mother for the boy scouts, helping with the youth group at the Methodist Church, as a Poll worker for numerous elections and just being a presence in her family's lives. Even on the day the good Lord took her home she was sharing the gospel from her hospital bed with friends and family.

Caroline was preceded in death by her husband Jerry, father (Frank) and mother (Lucy); son Carl Ray; brothers Lawrence, Frank, Ronald, Leonard, and great-grandson Tyberious Conover.

She is survived by her sister Rosalie (Mark) Fitzlaff of Worland, children Frank (Sheri) DeCroo of Worland, Jerry (Patti) DeCroo of McKinney, TX, Lucy (Richard) Leyva of Worland, Randy (Stacey) DeCroo of Thermopolis, Tammy DeCroo of Worland, 17 grandchildren, 23 great grandchildren, and 1 great-great grandchild.

Cremation has taken place and a memorial service will be held at 3pm on Saturday, August 5, 2023 at Zion Church with Chaplain, Don Rabun officiating. Memorial donations may be made to Victoria's laundry of Love. You can also purchase trees through the Business & Professional Women's Reforestation Program. Pease send checks to PO Box 524 Worland, Wyoming 82401. Online condolonces may be made at http://www.bryantfuneral

homeonline.com.