Julia R. Karnowski

Julia R. Karnowski, age 95, of Little Falls, MN, passed away Monday, January 5, 2009 at St. Gabriel's Hospital in Little Falls, MN. Mass of Christian Burial will be held at 11:00 A.M. Thursday, January 8, 2009 at Our Lady of Lourdes Catholic Church in Little Falls, MN, with Rev. Mark Innocenti officiating. Interment will be in the parish cemetery. Visitation will be held from 4:00 - 8:00 P.M. Wednesday, January 7th and 9:00 - 10:30 A.M. Thursday, January 8th at Emblom-Brenny Funeral Service (southeast chapel). A Christian Mother's Rosary will be at 4:30 P.M., VFW Auxiliary service 5:30 P.M. and Parish Prayers at 7:00 P.M. Wednesday at the funeral home. Julia Rose Sobiech was born on September 28, 1913 in Bellevue Township, Morrison County, Minnesota to the late Valentine "Walter" & Mary (Zormeier) Sobiech. She was baptized into the Catholic faith on October 5, 1913 at Holy Trinity Catholic Church in Royalton, MN. She was united in marriage to Chris Joseph Karnowski on September 19, 1932 at Holy Trinity Catholic Church in Royalton, MN. The couple made their home in Little Falls where they raised their 11 children. After her children were grown, she worked as a cook at various places including Camp Ripley, Little Falls VFW Club, and Benusa Cafe. In November 1994, she was named Chamber Employee of the Month while working at the Falls Ballroom where she worked from January 1966 until her retirement in November 1995 at the age of 82. She was a member of Our Lady of Lourdes Catholic Church in Little Falls since 1932. She was a very active member and volunteer of the church bazaar committee. She was also a member of the Our Lady of Lourdes Christian Women's organizations, life member of Little Falls VFW Ladies' Auxiliary, life member of National Association of Retired & Veteran Railway Employees, a member of the Gallon Club for her faithful blood donations. Julia enjoyed spending time with her family, reading, praying the rosary, participating in church functions, raking leaves, and shoveling snow. Left to cherish her memory are her children, Margaret (John) Gessell of Swanville, Gerald "Kard" (Karen) Karnowski of Little Falls, Cathy (Gene) Schlumpberger of Golden Valley, Roger (Mary Ann) Karnowski of Little Falls, David Karnowski of Grand Rapids, Joanie (Earl LeMieur) LeBlanc of Little Falls, Judy (Rob) Holt of Little Falls, Robert "Bonzie" (Bonnie) Karnowski of Pierz, Gary (Bev Balaski) Karnowski of Little Falls, and Carol (Jim) Vogl of Little Falls; brothers, Gus Sobiech of St. Paul, George Sobieck of Royalton; sisters-in-law, Lorraine Sobiech of Jordan, Veronica Sobieck of Byron and Delphine Sobiech of Royalton; 22 grandchildren and 26 great-grandchildren. She was preceded in death by her parents, Valentine "Walter" & Mary (Zormeier) Sobiech; husband, Chris J. Karnowski; son, Donald Karnowski, granddaughter, Sheri Karnowski; daughter-in-law, Donna Karnowski; siblings, Eleanor Sobiech, Agnes Meyer, John Sobiech, Louis Sobiech, Bill Sobiech, Ray Sobieck and sisters-in-law, Ione Sobieck and Toots Sobiech.