Obituary of Chester Franklin Karnowski

Chester Franklin Karnowski, of Shorewood and Bloomington, died peacefully at his home Friday, April 16, 2021, after a long life, well lived in which he was well loved. He was 94.

 

A man of generous spirit, Chet was born in Cloquet and grew up in Hinckley. After graduating from Hinckley High School in 1944, he joined the Merchant Marine and served as a radio officer during World War ll. He graduated from the University of Minnesota College of Pharmacy in 1953.

 

While in college, he met his future wife, Carol Arnesen, of Cloquet, on a blind date set up by lifelong friends (Thank you Meg and Bayliss Swanson). They eloped and she accompanied him to Germany when the Army posted him to Frankfurt as a second lieutenant. After his military service, they returned to Minnesota, and bought Condon Drug in Richfield a few years later. 

 

Despite the long hours, he loved holding court over coffee as a stream of salesmen, friends and old employees would stop by. He closed out his career at Snyders pharmacy in south Minneapolis. His family jokingly referred to it as his part-time job because it was only 40 hours a week.  

 

Chet and Carol lived for nearly 40 years in Bloomington, where they raised a son and daughter, Steve and Karen, who credit the strong work ethic and integrity that they learned from their parents for their professional successes.

 

Chet’s hospitality was legendary. The Karnowski deck was the social hub of their neighborhood -- a place where friends and neighbors would gather for drinks and snacks, particularly after golf. He was a regular at Dwan Golf Course, where he shot a hole in one in 2002. He played into his mid-80s, and continued to get together with his pals, “The 12:08 Club,” for lunch at Dwan at their regular Wednesday tee time. He joined with his fraternity brothers and other friends from the pharmacy world and the Shriners on annual fishing trips to Lake Winnibigoshish and Lake of the Woods for close to 50 years. 

 

Carol passed away in 1999. Chet’s heart was too big for him to live alone for long. Chet and his long-time neighbor, the recently widowed D’Ann Ranheim, helped mend each other’s broken hearts. They led an active social life with their extensive circles of family, friends and neighbors. Their life together was also enriched by their mutual love for music, the arts, dining, entertaining and travel. He loved and doted on D’Ann’s grandchildren.

 

Chet was preceded in death by Carol; his parents, Edmund and Albina Karnowski; and siblings Lorraine Vroom, Harold Karnowski, Eleanor Quagliata and Carol Jean Eknes. He is survived by Steve (Jeanne) and Karen; D’Ann and her children, John (Annette) Ranheim, Rick (Stephanie) Ranheim, Dan (Margareth) Ranheim, Cathy (Jeff) Davenport and James (Suanne) Ranheim; and D’Ann’s eight grandchildren, along with many nieces and nephews.

 

Chet will be interred at Fort Snelling National Cemetery. A memorial gathering in his honor will be held from 1-3 p.m. on Saturday, May 15, at the Cremation Society of Minnesota, 7110 France Avenue, Edina. Please observe COVID-19 safety rules.

 

In lieu of flowers, in recognition of Chet’s passions for golf and entertainment, memorials are suggested to PGA Reach Minnesota, a charitable arm of the PGA of America, which provides programs for veterans and others; or the Pillars of Shorewood Landing General Fund for residents’ entertainment opportunities, via Ebenezer.