Carol Karl

Carol E. Karl, age 91, of Clam Falls, passed away quietly and peacefully in her own home with her family around her, on Wednesday, September 7, 2016. Carol was born on February 6, 1925 in Siren to parents, Hilda (Johnson) and Arthur Giles. She attended May School down the road from her parents’ farm and then graduated from Siren High School in 1941. Carol was united in marriage to Warren A. Karl on November 4, 1943 in Pine City, MN. Together, they raised seven children on the family farm in Lewis. Carol created a loving home filled with the sound of her beautiful singing, the laughter of children running in and out, and the aromas of fresh baked bread. Carol worked as a cook at the Frederic School District in Lewis in 1962. She was also later employed as a secretary for the district in 1968. After 33 years of marriage together, Warren passed away unexpectedly in 1976. Shortly after, Carol attended the WITC in Rice Lake and earned an Associate’s Degree in accounting. After graduation, she was employed by the Village of Luck and later transferred to the Burnett County Government Center, where she worked until her retirement. Carol met H. Donald Johnson in 1979 and they married in November of 1985. They enjoyed their life together happily on the farm, traveling, gardening, and entertaining family and friends until his passing in June of 2016. Carol was a wonderful seamstress who not only created her own clothes, but redesigned clothes in fresh ways, she loved embroidery and decorated many objects in her home with the artistry of her needle, and she also created quilts for several of her grandchildren. She enjoyed flying and aviation (including a recent flight with her grandson just this summer), traveling, creating a colorful yard full of flowers, and was a talented cook whose holiday meals were legendary. She loved to host big family gatherings and go on outings with her grandchildren. Even after raising her children, Carol always provided care to others. She was the kind of person who could never turn away anyone in need. She was a self-sacrificing person who never once complained. She loved to care for others more than for herself, famously nursing many injured animals back to health. She will be deeply missed and remembered as a loving wife, mother, sister, grandma, and friend. Preceding Carol in death are her parents; son, Arthur R. Karl; husband, Warren A. Karl; sister, Alesa; brother, Robert; sister, Faith; brother, Gardner; sister, Bernie; husband, H. Donald Johnson. Carol is survived by her children: Renn (Barb) Karl, Luis (Jane) Karl, Perry (Kessea) Karl, Max Karl, Darwin (Elizabeth) Karl, Kris (Gary) Surbaugh and Vaughn (Angela) Karl; 20 grandchildren; 18 great-grandchildren; brother, Emory Giles; sister, June Klein; and many nieces, nephews, in-laws, relatives and friends. A Memorial Service honoring Carol’s life will be held on Saturday, October 1, 2016 at 1:00pm (visitation from 11:00am-1:00pm) at the Swedberg-Taylor Funeral Home in Siren.Arrangements were entrusted to Swedberg-Taylor Funeral Home in Siren. Online condolences may be expressed at www.swedberg-taylor.com