Beth Karjala

Preceded in death by her loving husband of 45 years, Gene Karjala; parents, William and Vera McGlone; and brother-in-law, Edward Sunderman. Survived by sister, Venencia (Ed) Sunderman; nieces and nephews; Michael (Connie) Sunderman, Elizabeth (Bill) Fisher, Katherine (Ron) Curr, William (Karen) Sunderman, Judy (Ted) Haley and Thomas Sunderman; many great nieces and nephews; and faithful companion, Kissa. Beth was born in Sioux Falls, SD on February 1, 1936. She attended Cathedral High School and then South Dakota State in Brookings SD. She began her teaching career in Milaca, MN in 1958. She taught many places, including air force bases in Germany, France and Turkey. After 28 years of teaching she retired to pursue other interests. These interests included working professionally as a fiber artist. She traveled around the country lecturing and conducting workshops for weavers' quilts at conferences. Her interests turned to quilting and machine embroidering. She taught these techniques at various guilds worldwide. At the International Quilt Festival in Houston one of her garments was in the Farfield Show. In her later years her interests turned to mosaics and ceramics. The highlight of this was a solo exhibit of her work at the Wellington Gallery in 2016. During her 45 year marriage to Gene they traveled the world and experienced many things. But what she enjoyed the most was spending time with her friends, sister and her family. She will be remembered for her Irish humor, her fashion sense and her love of entertaining. A Celebration of Life will be at her home from 1pm to 4pm on February 24 at The Outlook Condominiums, 1700 Lexington Ave., Lilydale. In lieu of flowers memorials preferred to her favorite charity, Ten Thousand Villages, 520 Selby Ave., St Paul 55118. Private interment at St. Martins Catholic Cemetery in Huron SD at a later date.