Obituary of Kathleen Jean Karl

Kathleen J. Karl (Kathie) of Kalamazoo, MI passed away on August 30, 2021 after a lengthy illness. Kathie was born July 23, 1947 in Wadsworth, Ohio to Florence and Max Morrell. She married the love of her life, Francis (Frank) J. Karl of Akron, Ohio on September 23, 1967. They had one daughter, Kelly Ann Karl. Kathie was a Unit Manager and Clinical Research Coordinator at Bronson Methodist Hospital, retiring in 2007. She graduated with a Masters Degree in Public Health from Western Michigan University (1987), a Bachelors Degree in Nursing from Western Michigan University, an RN diploma from Akron General Medical Center School of Nursing (1968), and Wadsworth High School (1965). Kathie is predeceased by her parents, Florence and Max Morrell, husband, Frank (2015), daughter, Kelly (2016) and sister, Nancy Sweebe. She is survived by her three loving and wonderful grandchildren, Sebastian Max Stripling, Teagan Grace Stripling, and Franklin (Frankie) Stripling; Falisha and Carlous Stripling, Tristan, Maddy and Brendan Rogers, as well as her brother and sister-in-law, Doug and Jan Morrell, brother-in-law, Herb Sweebe, sisters and brothers-in-law, Jan Karl Royer, Sharon Karl Casey, Irene Karl Vorndran, Mike and Olivia Karl and MaryAnn(Karl) and Chris Cochran, many nieces and nephews, and special friends, Gerri Hinkel, Charlene Platz, Connie Campbell, Karen Deegan Klott and Ree Millard. Kathie was an outstanding nurse, and greatly loved and missed by everyone who knew her. A special thank you to all of her care givers at Medi-Loge of Portage and Rose Arbor Hospice. A Catholic Mass will be held for her at a later date. Memorials in Kathie’s honor can be made to Kalamazoo YWCA Women’s Shelter.