Nature 14
 

Thomas Richard Karkela

May 2, 1945 ~ May 19, 2023 (age 78) 78 Years Old
Read more about the life story of Thomas and share your memory.    

Obituary

Thomas Richard Karkela

May 2, 1945 – May 19, 2023

Richard Thomas Karkela of Plymouth, Minnesota, passed away on May 19, 2023 at the age of 78 after his long battle with Parkinson’s. Tom was born on May 2, 1945 and grew up in Grand Rapids Minnesota. Tom attended Grand Rapids High School where he enjoyed playing baseball, basketball and football. Tom graduated in 1963 then attended the University of North Dakota and graduated with a Bachelor of Science in Industrial Engineering in August of 1967. Tom married his high school sweet heart Peggy Rassmussen and went to work for Westinghouse in Minneapolis, MN. Later was transferred to Brookfield, WI. In 1984 Tom moved his family back to Minnesota to start Electro Midwest.

Tom was a devoted husband of 56 years and father to Kristi (Eric Keiper of Maple Grove), Jennifer (John Weeks of Minnetonka), and Katie (Shane Cullinan of Independence) all of Minneapolis, MN. Five Grandchildren Annie and Ryan Keiper, Greta, Erica and Megan Weeks. Tom is also survived by his brother Larry of Plymouth, a sister Karen (Cush Minar) of White Bear and brother Ron (Linda) of Grand Rapids and many nieces, nephews and friends.

Tom is preceded in death by his father Wesley Karkela, Mother Emilie Skoe, brother David.

Family and friends are invited to a memorial service on Thursday, June 15, 2:00pm, visitation 1 hour before, at St. Philip the Deacon Lutheran Church 17205 County Road 6 Plymouth, MN 55447. Following the service guests are welcome to coffee and dessert.

We ask in lieu of flowers donations are preferred to Tunnel 2 Towers Foundation (T2T.org).

 

 

 

 

To send flowers to the family or plant a tree in memory of Thomas Richard Karkela, please visit our floral store.


Services

Visitation
Thursday
June 15, 2023

1:00 PM to 2:00 PM
St. Philip the Deacon Lutheran Church
17205 County Road 6
Plymouth, MN 55447
Guaranteed delivery before the Visitation begins

Memorial Service
Thursday
June 15, 2023

2:00 PM
St. Philip the Deacon Lutheran Church
17205 County Road 6
Plymouth, MN 55447
Guaranteed delivery before the Memorial Service begins

Online Memory & Photo Sharing Event
Orders begin printing on June 1
Online Event
profile

In Loving Memory Of

Thomas Karkela

May 2, 1945-May 19, 2023




Look inside to read what others
have shared

Family and friends are coming together online to create a special keepsake. Every memory left on the online obituary will be automatically included in the book.   


Online Memory & Photo Sharing Event
Orders begin printing on June 1
Online Event

profile

In Loving Memory Of

Thomas Karkela

May 2, 1945-May 19, 2023




Look inside to read what others have shared


Family and friends are coming together online to create a special keepsake. Every memory left on the online obituary will be automatically included in the book.   


Donations

Tunnel to Towers Foundation
2361 Hylan Boulevard, Staten Island NY 10306
Tel: 1-718-987-1931
Email: Info@t2t.org
Web: https://t2t.org/

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