SPECIAL THOUGHTS & PRAYERS

Ed & Dee Dvorak

Amos Hard

Stacy Lee Karl, age 42, of Akeley, died Wednesday, June 6, 2012, at the University of Minnesota Medical Center-Fairview in Minneapolis.

Stacy was born July 27, 1969, in Park Rapids to Louis and Judy Karl.

Graduating from Walker-Hackensack-Akeley High School in 1988, he went on to earn a degree in Chef’s Training at the Detroit Lakes Technical College.

Stacy was a member of Our Lady of the Pines Catholic Church and the Akeley Lion’s Club.

After graduation, he went to work at Little Joe’s on Island Lake. In August 1997 he started at Northern Lights Casino until his diagnosis of idiopathic pulmonary fibrosis and declining health in 2008.

On August 6, 2009, Stacy was fortunate to have been the recipient of a double-lung transplant at the University of Minnesota Medical Center-Fairview. Overcoming numerous medical issues following the transplant, Stacy returned home in April 2010. Although Stacy and his family knew of the potential complications, we were blessed with almost three additional years with Stacy, until his lung function again began to decline. Throughout all his struggles pre- and post-transplant, Stacy always maintained a positive attitude and never complained.

Although Stacy was not a man of many words, he had a great sense of humor and will be remembered for his quick wit. Stacy’s passion was cooking and his work and co-workers were important to him. His wish was to always return to work.

Stacy loved music, karaoke, and dancing. The most fun for Stacy was karaoke with his special cousins, Deb and Jessie. They shared numerous occasions of entertainment and those times gave Stacy many fond memories.

Stacy also enjoyed watching DVDs of comedian, Jeff Dunham, and imitating the puppet, Peanut. Stacy appreciated the opportunity of seeing the comedian last fall and was grateful to Meri Beth and Brett for that chance.

Stacy had a huge heart and his family and friends were important to him. He enjoyed family time playing cards, baking, and camping. His smile and laugh will truly be missed. Stacy’s love was strong for his nieces and nephews and great nieces and nephews, each year for Christmas he would gift them an ornament for their Christmas tree.

Stacy is survived by his mother, Judy; siblings, Kimberly (Mick) Vredenburg, Scott (Jodie) Karl, Shawn (Brenda) Karl, Jody (Donny) Karl, and Meri Beth (Brett) Karl; nieces and nephews, Tanya (Jon) Karl, Bryan (Julie) Karl, Jamie Hill, Jordan Hill, Stephanie (Ken) Beaudry, Kaitlin Hill, Kristina Tooker, Erin Tooker, Maggie Mae Karl, and Valarie Tooker; great nieces and nephews, Rhiannon Triggs, Isabelle Triggs, Alexis Beaudry, Quintyn Karl, and Jakob Beaudry; aunts and uncle, Doris Beckerleg, Maxine McFarren, Willa Lou Sitz, Vernon Leger, and Karen Karl; and numerous cousins.

Stacy is preceded in death by his father, Louis; grandparents Louis and Margaret Karl and Bernice and Otto Gottsman; and aunts and uncles: Luella and Norbert Schueler, Beverly and Jerry Werner, Rod Karl, Elsie and Homer Beckerleg, Gordon Sitz, Jerry and Joyce Sitz, Don Beckerleg, Johnnie and Lena Buck, Joanne Leger, and George McFarren.

Stacy’s family takes comfort knowing that Stacy received the best care at the University of Minnesota Medical Center and Transplant Center and is extremely grateful to all the physicians and nursing staff at the University. Their care and support over years is very much appreciated. The family also cherishes the prayers and support of extended family, friends, and community over these past few years.

 

Kathleen Lois Duclos, 63, of Akeley, Minnesota passed away Tuesday, March 27, 2012 at the University of Minnesota Hospital. Kathy was born September 26, 1948 in Breckenridge, Minnesota to Robert and Lucille (Hanscom) McGraw. At a young age her family moved to Darwin, Minnesota and she graduated from Litchfield High School in 1966. Following high school she became an x-ray technician after receiving two years of training at the Meeker County Hospital and the University of Minnesota. Kathy was united in marriage to Mike Duclos on June 21, 1969 at St. Gertrudes Catholic Church in Forest City, Minnesota. She continued working at the Litchfield and Sauk Rapids Clinics until 1985 when she joined her husband in running their family business, WD Cooling Clinic in Hutchinson. In 2007 she and Mike moved north and have since owned and operated North Country Radiator and Air Conditioning in Akeley. Kathy was a member of Our Lady Of The Pines Catholic Church in Nevis, and business members of the Akeley Chamber of Commerce. She was also an artist, enjoyed photography and quilting but particularly had an eye for using her creativity in stained glass pieces. She had a special interest in loons and was known as the official “Williams Lake Loon Watcher”. Kathy always had a positive attitude and a love for people. Being a part of her grandchildren’s activities was also a very important part of her life. In addition to being a business owner, mother, and grandmother, Kathy was a community advocate, helping to organize and plan many events for the benefit of others. In March of 2011 Kathy underwent a heart transplant at the University of Minnesota and became a recipient of the love and support of the community that she had always freely given to. This was life changing and deeply appreciated by her and her family. Kathy lived life to the fullest and her presence will be missed by her family and all who knew her. Kathy is survived by her husband Mike, parents Bob and Lucille McGraw, sons; Kyle (Jill) Duclos, Kelly (Martha) Duclos, five grandchildren: Chelsea, Jesse, Tyler, Elsa, Henry, brother Rick (Nancy) McGraw, and numerous nieces and nephews. The funeral service will be Saturday, March 31, 2012 at 12:00 Noon at St. Gertrudes Catholic Church in Forest City, Minnesota with Father Joe Steinbeisser officiating. A memorial gathering will be held Friday, March 30, 2012 from 4:00 -6:30 P.M. at the Dennis Funeral Home in Walker, and one hour prior to the service in Forest City. Inurnment will be in the St. Gertrude’s Catholic Church Cemetery.