Karla Wiarda

NOTICE: Rock Rapids, Iowa Karla Wiarda, age 64, of Rock Rapids, IA, died Monday, February 20, 2012 at St. Marys Hospital in Rochester, MN after a lengthy illness. Funeral service will be 10:30 a.m. Friday, February 24, 2012 at Immanuel Lutheran Church in Rock Rapids, IA with Rev. Dan Kordahl officiating. Private family burial will follow at Riverview Cemetery in Rock Rapids. Visitation with family present will be Friday, from 8:30 a.m. to the time of service at Immanuel Lutheran Church in Rock Rapids. Karla Rae Wiarda was born November 11, 1947 in Rock Rapids, IA to Arnold and Lorie Etta (Tiedeman) Olson. She was raised in Rock Rapids and graduated from Central Lyon High School in 1965. She furthered her education at the Nettleton Business College in Sioux Falls. On June 11, 1967 Karla was united in marriage to Doug Wiarda at the Immanuel Lutheran Church in Rock Rapids. To this union two children were born, Chad and Adam. Karla worked at the Rock Rapids State Bank for a number of years before taking a position at McCormack Transportation. She later worked as the secretary for Immanuel Lutheran Church before going to work at the Lyon County Title and Abstract Company in Rock Rapids, where due to failing health, she retired from her position as manager in 2010. She enjoyed fishing, playing cards and any activity involving her family. She was truly a matriarchal figure to her family and was usually the one to organize family get togethers, even if it was only a snowy evening game of monopoly with her sister Karen. She loved her family dearly. Being with them and doing for them was the joy of her life. Later and as a result of her father being diagnosed and treated for Alzheimers disease, Karla and her mother Lorie Etta, and another organized what has become known as the Lyon County Alzheimers Support Group. Karla began her own struggle and was placed on a difficult path 12 years ago. A malignant cancer related to the thymus called thymoma as well as pure red blood cell aplasia and the resulting diabetes were all contributing factors to her death. Even though battling like a warrior against this disease process and knowing she would ultimately succumb, Karlas thoughts were rarely on herself. Her thoughts were on her family and their wellbeing. She was a remarkable woman and they will greatly miss her. She is survived by her husband, Doug; mother, Lorie Etta Thompson of Rock Rapids, IA; son, Chad Wiarda and his children Claire Ann and Cole Jeffrey and Chads special friend, Michelle DePhillips all of West Des Moines, IA; and son, Adam (Christy) Wiarda and their daughter, Adelyn Rae of Chicago, IL; brother, Denton (Karen) Olson of Rock Rapids, IA; sister, Karen LeMonds of Doon, IA and special friend Michael Thoene; brothers, Russell (Robyn) Olson of West Des Moines, IA and Orlynn Olson and Donna Friday both of Louisville, NE; step brothers and sisters, Sybil (Jerry), Phyllis, Janet (Paul), Kathy (Gary), Bill, Gordon (Michelle), Tod (Pam) and nieces and nephews and other extended family members. Karla was preceded in death by her father, Arnold Olson; infant brother; and step-father, Thealburn Thompson.