Cecelia Caroline Karas

Cecelia Karas, 89 years, quietly passed away at her home in North Branch at Ecumen Assisted Living, Monday, August 20, 2012. She is remembered as a loving mother, wife, grandmother and friend. She enjoyed vegetable gardening, raising flowers, working in the yard, playing with her dog Rocky and talking about farming. Cecelia Caroline Kryzer was born November 4, 1922 in Beroun as the first child of Joseph and Jennie Kryzer. She talked often about the special memories of growing up on the farm with her sisters Helen and Lucille. Finishing 8th grade, Cecelia moved to Pine City to work with a family taking care of their kids and home and later in the bakery. Meeting Elmer Karas provided many stories to add to her endless sharing of her life. Cecelia and Elmer were married June 27, 1945 in Pine City and began their life by purchasing the Karas family farm. There Cecelia spent her time milking cows, raising calves, gardening and more. She sold chickens, ducks geese and eggs. At times her sales included cabbage and other produce. Oh yes, the most important thing on her list were raising two children Barbara and David. Cecelia spent endless hours baking, canning and preparing food. There were homemade egg noodles, sausage, sauerkraut and glazed raised donuts just to name a few. Every evening as the family gathered each person would have some part in a task to still be completed. It could be shelling peas, snapping beans, shelling popcorn, wrapping apples or whatever else was in season. She always found time to take part in 4-H activities and church. But one thing to be counted upon was that Cecelia put her kids and husband first, often putting off her need to be sure theirs were met. Building a home adjacent to the farm provided Elmer and Cecelia a chance to transition into retirement. Each continued to help at the farm with Cecelia feeding calves until she turned 80 years old. During this time Cecelia was able to fulfill her dream to travel. For several years Elmer and she took an annual driving trip west to experience new places, people and fun. And she was able to continue her passion for gardening. Cecelia is survived by her husband Elmer, daughter Barbara (Russel) Piehl of North Branch, son David (Jody) Karas of Pine City, grandchildren Krista (Howard) Otte, Jacob Karas, Cindy (Dan) Mellum, Gary (Katie) Piehl, Glen (Ashley) Piehl, great grandchildren Ryanne, Blake, Austin and Beylen and sisters Helen McKnight of Stillwater and Lucille Kryzer of St. Paul. Monsignor Alexsander Suchan will officiate a memorial mass at 10:30 a.m on Thursday (8/23/12) at Immaculate Conception Church in Pine City. A memorial visitation will be held from 6:00-8:00 p.m. on Wednesday evening (8/22/12) at Swanson Funeral Chapel in Pine City, and also one hour before the mass at the church. Inurnment will be at St. Joseph's Calvary Cemetery in Beroun. Arrangements for Mrs. Elmer Karas are with the Funeral and Cremation Service - Swanson Chapel of Pine City.