"Rest in peace Mrs. Karjala, she always greeted me and all the other students each breakfast and lunch. I always enjoyed talking to her when I could. "
In loving memory of
Lorrie Edith Karjala
October 28, 1960 - August 15, 2023
Lorrie Karjala, 62 of Glenwood, IA, passed away at her home Tuesday, August 15, 2023. Funeral services will be held at 1:30 p.m. on Saturday, August 26, 2023 at the Loess Hills Funeral Home in Glenwood. Burial will be in the Glenwood Cemetery. Visitation will be held one hour prior to the service beginning at 12:30 p.m. Loess Hills Funeral Home in Glenwood is caring for Lorrie and her family.
Memorials: American Cancer Society
OBITUARY
Lorrie Edith Karjala, 62, of Glenwood, IA passed away at her home on Tuesday, August 15, 2023, surrounded by family and friends.
Lorrie was born on October 28, 1960 in Council Bluffs, IA, one of two children of Charlotte (Lee) and Pat Kennedy, Jr. Since 2004, Lorrie was a clerk with the Glenwood School District, working in the kitchen and cafeteria of the Glenwood High School.
Lorrie and James Karjala were united in marriage on June 25, 1981 in Hastings, MN, and were residents of Dakota County, Minnesota until they moved to Mills County, Iowa in the summer of 1988.
Lorrie had many enjoyments including camping and boating, listening to country music, her dogs and cats, raising and rescuing dogs, attending plays and concerts, and traveling with her husband. She had a great love for reading horror novels, and authors Steven King and Ann Rice were just a couple of her favorites. Lorrie loved swimming in her backyard pool and working on her tan. She especially loved spending time with her friends and with her family.
Lorrie was preceded in death by her infant daughter, Elizabeth Nicole Karjala, her father, Pat Kennedy Jr. of Pacific Junction, great-grandparents, George and Edith Lyons of Council Bluffs, grandparents, Pat and Gudrun Kennedy, and Cleo and Cecil Palmer also of Council Bluffs, and more recently her cousin Scott Pine of Omaha, Nebraska.
Lorrie is survived by her beloved husband of 42 years Jim Karjala of Glenwood; daughters, Kathryn Burbank (Jeff) of Northfield, MN, and Sarah Karjala (Maddie) of Denver, CO; grandchildren, Charlie and Arianna; her mother Charlotte Kennedy of Pacific Junction, IA; brother, Pastor Jeff Kennedy (Becky) of South Bend, IN; and many loving aunts, uncles, nieces, nephews, cousins, family and friends.
Tributes
"Lorrie was my cousin -- we grew up playing Barbie Dolls together. You were too young to be taken so soon. The world will not be as bright without you in it. Rest in peace. Love, Kym "
"In 1978 I went to live with Jim to finish the last 4 months of my senior year of high school. Lorrie and her friend Anna were the first people I befriended. One of the times they came over after school to visit Lorrie met Jim. The rest is history. Vaya Con Dios Lorrie."
"Rest in Peace Lorrie. Love and miss you. "
"RIP Lorrie you will be missed. Such a great coworker and friend. I have some great memories I'll never forget. Till we meet again. Fly high! "
"RIP Lorrie you will be missed. You were such a great coworker and friend. I Have some great memories of you I will never forget! "
"Lee and Peggy Mosier RIP my dear friend. We had some mighty fine times together. Love you and you will be missed."
"Rest in Peace Lorrie. You were a great coworker and friend. "
"Love you Lorrie! See you soon, xoxo Becky"