Alverta "Bootie" Mae Carolan-Ehrie, age 89, of Decorah, Iowa, passed away peacefully on Thursday, May 7, 2026, at Barthell Eastern Star Home in Decorah, Iowa, surrounded by the love of her family.

Burial and committal service will be held at 10:00 a.m. on Tuesday, May 12, 2026, at St. Benedict Catholic Cemetery, 2388 Siewer Spring Road, Decorah, Iowa.

Visitation will be held from 4:00 p.m. until 7:00 p.m. on Monday, May 11, 2026, at Helms Funeral Homes, 306 East Water Street, Decorah, Iowa. Rosary and Prayer service will be held at 3:30 p.m., with Pastor Daniel Knipper.

Bootie was born on January 11, 1937, in Fayette, IA, to Seth and Letha (McElree) Rhines. She spent most of her life in Decorah, where she built a life centered around family, friendship, hard work, and love. 

On January 25, 1957, she married Howard Carolan. Together, they raised seven children: Mike Carolan, Kim Holstad, Lisa Carolan, Dawn (Jeff) Marlow, Joe Carolan, Theresa Stalcup, and Tammy (Mike) Wold. Howard passed away on June 10, 1983. Later, Bootie married Clyde Quandahl on October 18, 1985, and after his passing, she found love again with Herbert Ehrie, whom she married on June 4, 2011. 

In her early years, Bootie was a devoted homemaker and farm wife, always putting her family first. Once her children were older and attending school, she began working in the kitchen at North Winn, where she liked being close by in case one of the kids found themselves in a little trouble at school. She later operated Carolan’s Taxi Cab in Decorah for several years before working at Walmart for more than 15 years, retiring at the age of 72. Everywhere she worked, she was known for her strong work ethic, humor, and caring heart. 

Bootie had a personality that was impossible to forget. She was lovingly known as the “Rummy Queen” because she almost always won, though her family jokingly swore she had to be cheating after finding a few extra cards hidden in her lap from time to time. She loved gardening and took special pride in growing beautiful flowers, especially purple ones. She enjoyed dancing, attending Bluegrass festivals, and listening to her favorite singers, Daniel O'Donnell and Alan Jackson. 

She treasured time spent traveling to Arizona to visit her daughter Lisa and enjoyed many memorable moments with her lifelong friends Rosie Keller and Arla Hjemeland, friendships that spanned more than 65 years. In recent winters, she also enjoyed trips to Florida with her children, Kim (Gil), Theresa, and Mike. Above all else, Bootie deeply loved her family. She adored her grandchildren and loved keeping in the know about what was happening in their lives. Her family remembers her as a wonderful mother, a beautiful lady, and one of the strongest women they knew. 

Bootie is survived by her husband, Herbert Ehrie; her seven children; 14 grandchildren; 17 great-grandchildren; and one great-great-grandchild. She is also survived by her brothers-in-law, Floyd Baumler and Jimmy Carolan, along with many loving nieces, nephews, great-nieces, and great-nephews. 

She was preceded in death by her husbands, Howard Carolan and Clyde Quandahl; her parents, Seth and Letha Rhines; her brother, Richard Rhines, and her sister, Doris Carolan; her father and mother-in-law, Jim and Esther Carolan; brothers- and sisters-in-law, Robert Carolan, Joyce Baumler, and Leo (Betty) Carolan; and her grandson, Tyler Marlow.