In Memory Of
Thomas W. Karjala
1935
2022
Thomas W. Karjala
March 14, 1935 — August 13, 2022
On Saturday, August 13, Thomas (Tom) Karjala, Sr., passed away at the age of 87. Tom was born on March 14, 1935, in Hancock, Michigan to Matt and Signe (Joensuu) Karjala. Following high school and living briefly in Ohio, Tom enlisted in the United States Air Force and served in Korea, Japan, England, and Turkey. After finishing his time in the Air Force, Tom received a bachelor's degree from Northern Michigan University, where he met his future wife, Marlene (Molly) LeGreve. Tom and Molly were married on July 27, 1963, and had three children, Matt, Thomas Jr (Tom), and Anne. Tom went on to receive master's degrees from Michigan State University and Western Illinois University. Tom was on the faculty at Carl Sandburg College in Galesburg, Illinois, for 27 years, with sabbaticals in Finland and England.
Tom enjoyed travel and outdoor activities like camping, hiking, and canoeing, as well as time with family. He and Molly spent vacations camping, beginning with their honeymoon, seeing much of the United States and parts of Canada throughout the years. He enjoyed one more visit to Finland, and spent many camping trips with other family members throughout the United States. Photography was an early interest for Tom, and he also loved cars and daily crossword puzzles. Tom enjoyed playing golf for many years, and he was good at "puttering around", as he called it, and made two cradles used by many of his grandchildren.
Tom was preceded in death by his father, Matt, and mother, Signe, and brothers Edwin (Roy), Evert (Lowell), David, and Nikolai (Nik). He is survived by his wife Molly, son Matt, son Tom and his wife Teresa, of Lake Jackson, Texas, and their children Katie and Nick; and daughter Anne and her husband Brian, of Green Bay, Wisconsin, and their children Maddie, Nathan, Abigail, and Zoe; Tom's sisters Mary Wanhala of Hancock, Michigan,and Sandra Petrin, of Gladstone, Michigan; several cousins, nieces and nephews.
A visitation will be held on Wednesday, August 17, 2022, at Newcomer Funeral Home (340 S. Monroe Ave Green Bay, WI 54301) at 2pm, with a memorial service at 4pm.
Tom enjoyed travel and outdoor activities like camping, hiking, and canoeing, as well as time with family. He and Molly spent vacations camping, beginning with their honeymoon, seeing much of the United States and parts of Canada throughout the years. He enjoyed one more visit to Finland, and spent many camping trips with other family members throughout the United States. Photography was an early interest for Tom, and he also loved cars and daily crossword puzzles. Tom enjoyed playing golf for many years, and he was good at "puttering around", as he called it, and made two cradles used by many of his grandchildren.
Tom was preceded in death by his father, Matt, and mother, Signe, and brothers Edwin (Roy), Evert (Lowell), David, and Nikolai (Nik). He is survived by his wife Molly, son Matt, son Tom and his wife Teresa, of Lake Jackson, Texas, and their children Katie and Nick; and daughter Anne and her husband Brian, of Green Bay, Wisconsin, and their children Maddie, Nathan, Abigail, and Zoe; Tom's sisters Mary Wanhala of Hancock, Michigan,and Sandra Petrin, of Gladstone, Michigan; several cousins, nieces and nephews.
A visitation will be held on Wednesday, August 17, 2022, at Newcomer Funeral Home (340 S. Monroe Ave Green Bay, WI 54301) at 2pm, with a memorial service at 4pm.
To order memorial trees or send flowers to the family in memory of Thomas W. Karjala, please visit our flower store.
Service Schedule
Past Services
Visitation
Wednesday, August 17, 2022
2:00 - 4:00 pm (Central time)
Newcomer Cremations, Funerals & Receptions
Service
Wednesday, August 17, 2022
Starts at 4:00 pm (Central time)
Newcomer Cremations, Funerals & Receptions
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