Jim Karl
Posted By Ballard Sunder Funeral Home On July 6, 2020 @ 4:50 pm In 2020,Obituaries | 8 Comments
Jim Karl, age 80, of Jordan, MN, passed peacefully on Friday, July 3, 2020, at Kingsway Retirement Living, in Belle Plaine, MN.
A celebration of life will be held on Friday, July 17 at 2 pm, with a time of gathering starting at 12:30 pm, at Ballard-Sunder Funeral and Cremation, 833 South Marschall Road, Shakopee, MN. Masks are required and social distancing will be maintained. Guests can stream the service at the following link: www.Zoom.us (Meeting ID: 963 4475 6512 / Password: 314947). Jim will be laid to rest at St. John Calvary Cemetery, in Jordan, immediately following the service.
James Albert was born on February 27, 1940, in Jordan, to parents Albert and Lucille (Mertens) Karl. He was first of three children, growing up along the banks of the Sand Creek in Jordan, with sisters Joan and Pat. As a young boy, Jim took a strong interest to the outdoors. He and his pals spent countless hours fishing the Mill Pond and the falls. They also did a lot of small game hunting and trapping. With Jim’s grandpa living just down the street on a farm, he learned how to work and train the horses quite well. Jim attend St. John Catholic Grade School and graduated from Jordan High School in 1958.
Working various jobs at first, Jim accepted a position at a newly founded company in Shakopee, MN, Midland Container (now known as Anchor Glass). He started as a piler and through Jim’s 33–year career, he spent the last many years as the shift supervisor, before retiring. Jim then worked part time at Knox Lumber Yard and for nearly five decades, he spent summers at Graves Lakes Resort, in Remer, MN, as a part of the Branstad Family and helping with day to day operations.
Jim married Phyllis “Tootie” Malz on April 23, 1960, at St. John Catholic Church, in Jordan. They were blessed with two children, Lori and Jamie. As a family, they enjoyed camping and exploring the local sights.
Jim’s love for fishing deepened, with Lori and Jamie many times tagging along. They either fished alongside of him or sat quietly eating some candy. Jim and Tootie eventually went their separate ways in life. He then married Sharon Koppi on September 15, 1979. From his union, they welcomed Ryan and Kelsey. Jim’s love for camping, fishing, and hunting continued, with them joining him. Unfortunately, he and Sharon parted ways in 1998.
Jim never sat idle. His hands were always busy, holding a fishing rod or a jiggle stick. Jim was content working in the vegetable garden and spending numerous hours canning the fruits of his labor. He loved cooking and trying new recipes. Jim loved deer and grouse hunting with family and friends in Wildwood, MN, for decades. Later in life, he was an amazing woodworker. Jim loved building birdhouses, canoe shelfs, cabin planters and so much more. Often, he was the one cutting and preparing the masterpiece and Lori would be by his side painting. Jim relished selling these creations or giving them away as gifts.
A quiet man, Jim also enjoyed the peaceful times of life. In the earlier years, he glided across the dance floor to a good polka or waltz. Jim had perfect penmanship, and this was witnessed in the hundreds and hundreds of greeting cards sent for that special occasion. He enjoyed a good game of Euchre with family. Jim also found the simple joys in life, on his daily walk around Jordan. He found the most peace enjoying the sights and sounds and working as the go to guy, at Graves Resort, for nearly 5 decades. Jim was a “Jack-of-all-trades!” He was patient, determined and a fighter. Jim was a 25 years cancer survivor and fought hard to the end, with Dementia diagnosed in 2014.
Forever loved, Jim will be forever in the hearts of his children, Lori (Mike) Moriarty, Jamie (Mary) Karl, Ryan (Mandy) Karl, Kelsey (Herald) Baloro; grandchildren, Molly (Erin) Roy, Katelyn (Dustin) Lambrecht, McKay Karl, Sam Karl, John Karl, Olivia Karl; great-grandchildren, Peyton Lambrecht, Olivia Lambrecht, Bryn Roy, Henry Roy, Hadley Karl; sisters, Joan (Ray) Busch, Pat Clayton; nieces and nephews, relatives and friends.
Greeting Jim home in heaven are his parents, Albert and Lucille Karl and brother-in-law, Steve Clayton.
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We are so sorry for your loss. Jim will be missed. It was always a pleasure to talk with him. He was always willing to help when needed. He would share his tips for fishing which was greatly appreciated. Our grandchildren were also fond of Jim. They still call the road going by the camper Jim’s Road. And it will always be Jim’s Road.
Our heartfelt condolences to Jim’s family and friends. Jim was our dad’s (Wayne) best friend at Kingsway. They were like two peas in a pod. Dad would go down and pick up Jim for meals. They’d often be found sitting outside enjoying each other’s company and the fresh air. Visiting with Dad also meant a fun visit with Jim. Jim touched our lives in such a special way; his smile was contagious. With Dad, and now Jim, both gone, we like to think they’re both sitting on Heaven’s porch, chitchatting and enjoying each other’s company once again.
To all the Karl families sorry to here of your loss and wish you the best in this tough time
Heartfelt condolences go out to Jim’s extended family and friends. During Jim’s stay at Kingsway, he was good friends with Wayne. We talked many times as I knew Wayne before when he was a manager at a restaurant. Wayne and Jim were constant companions. Jim was a jack of all trades. He could do anything once he set his mind to it. Among other woodwork, he made beautiful doll furniture for his daughter Kelsey and also for his granddaughter, Ava. Jim was an avid hunter spending every year deer hunting with Ryan and later Ethan joined them. Also his favorite pastime was spent fishing with his 4 children throughout the years. My heart goes out to our four children, Marie, Christy, Ryan and Kelsey. Also to our 5 grandchildren, Ethan, Brooke, Ava, Aubriella, and Olivia. I feel your pain.
We will sit around the campfire with our Remer friends soon and share stories about Jim.
Although Jim and I legally parted ways in 2011, we remained in contact down to the end and I look forward to seeing Jim again when he is resurrected to a paradise on earth. John 5: 28,29.
Jim’s wife of 32 years,
Sharon Karl
Sharon, Christy, Marie, Kelsey and Ryan,
So sorry for your loss of Jim. I know how losing someone that was a big part of your life can feel. It can be a confusing time emotionally. Practically growing up at your house eating all the fun snacks(and Christy at mine)and being part of your hilariously funny/sarcastic family will always be will be a fond memory to me.
I’m thinking of you!
Love you all!
Andrea
Sharon, Christy, Marie, Ryan, Kelsey (and Andrea),
A little silver lining of the quarantine lifestyle is Zoom for everything. I was able to listen in to most of Jim’s Memorial today and it brought back so many memories….
I remember when Kelsey was a newborn and Ryan was “allergic to smarties”.
Like Andrea, I also grew up in your home (basement). I remember Jim walking ½ way down the stairs and saying something like “you girls – be quieter!”.
I’m sure we were thoroughly obnoxious teenagers, but we’d roll our eyes about the parents and kind of try to be quiet for a few minutes 🙂
I’m truly sorry for the tough feelings you’re going through right now. Dementia is so painful for everyone involved, but it’s good to know that Jim is no longer in any discomfort.
Remembering Jim was like remembering a whole era of our lives.
Just saw this today on Facebook, I’m very sorry for the family. Jim was a great man, I used to spend one week every Summer at Graves Lake Resort with my grandparents. Jim and my grandpa had a pretty good relationship, every day after fishing he would come over and talk about our catches and where we went. He’d give us his secret honey holes and truly was a genuine man. I grew up loving the resort, and a big reason was Jim, I used to ride my bike around the campground and he’d always tell me that I better not fall or he’d have to pick me up and he didn’t want to do that. He was a part of my childhood and I didn’t even know it. Just thought I should share.
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Sharon KarlFamily – so sorry to hear of Jim’s passing.A lot of memories in 30 years with my x brother-in-law. Jim lived two blocks from me in Jordan and I saw him and talked to almost dailey at Mill pond.Sharon, Ryan, Kelsey, Marie, Kristy, Ava ,and Aubrey you are in my thoughts and prayers.