Carmen was a very nurturing, caring, and loving person and made sure that the people in her life were loved and cherished. She took great joy and pride in the many accomplishments of her son, David, including speech, drama, and musical performances. Carmen loved to travel and was able to visit many parts of the world, including Europe, Iceland, Ireland, and New Zealand. She was very talented artistically and used those talents to brighten the lives of friends and family. She loved animals and enjoyed all of the many dogs and cats that shared the farm with her and her family. Carmen was a member of Emanuel St. John Lutheran Church in Lytton, Iowa, as well as a member of PEO. Carmen was preceded in death by her parents. She is survived by her husband James, her son David Robideau of Ames, Iowa, her stepdaughter Leslie Robideau of Minneapolis, Minnesota, her brothers, Lowell Sylwester of East Aurora, New York, and Roger (Marilyn) Sylwester of Seattle, Washington, nieces Jill Sylwester, Sue Sylwester-Rice, and Judy Sylwester, and nephew Steven Sylwester. A memorial service will be held on Monday, April 16, 2018, at St. Paul's Lutheran Church in Manson, Iowa. A visitation will be held at 9:00 am, followed by a memorial service at 10:30 am. The family will conduct a private burial service at a later date. Laufersweiler-Sievers Funeral Home is serving the family. In lieu of flowers memorial donations to All Strings Attached Studio in Carroll, Iowa, are encouraged.