Shirley Ann Karjala, 88, was born May 17, 1937 at home on a farm in Runeberg Township, Becker County, Minnesota to Verlie (Schafer) and Wilmer Karjala.

She was preceded in death by infant daughter Audrey, brother Dennis, her parents and husband Donald of 62 years.

She is survived by son Michael (Donna) Thompson, daughter Shari (David) Gillund, grandchildren Heather (Drew), Tracie (Paul), Kurt (Loghan), Gabe (Veronica) and great grandchildren Cass, Gabriel, Maddie, Hannah, Tristan, Dennis, Elaina, Chevelle, Olive, Desmond, Krosby and Lochlan, brothers Rodney (Kathryn),  Dale (Kim), Merle (Linda), Chuck (Holly), sisters-in-law Shirley, Laverna and Karren, numerous nieces, nephews, cousins, best friend Irene, and wonderful neighbors.

Shirley graduated from New York Mills high school in 1955. She was united in marriage to Donald on November 26, 1955. Her first job after high school was in an apron factory. After two months she went to work at Midland National Bank. She worked there until Mike was born. While raising Mike and Shari she provided day care and later worked part time at Penny’s Grocery. She retired after 17 years from the Accounts Payable Department at Target.

She and Don traveled everywhere, sometimes as many as three trips a year. She has a scrapbook for every vacation. Photography and making scrapbooks was the hobby she did best. Each grandchild has a scrapbook of their life that was given to them at graduation. Don and Shirley bought a motor home and traveled across the US. After 11 years Don didn’t want to drive it anymore so they bought a second home in the Fun N Sun Resort in San Benito, Texas where they wintered until Don became ill in 2016.  Shirley purchased a park model in the Harbor on Cresent Bay Resort near Brainerd MN and spent summers there with other family members.  She lived in her home in Blaine, MN until March of 2022 when she fell in her driveway and suffered a head injury.  After that she moved to Arbor Oaks Senior Living where she resided until her passing. 

Services will be held on February 28, 2026 at Glen Cary Lutheran Church.  15531 Central Ave. N.E. Ham Lake, MN 55304. 

10:00 Visitation

11:00 Funeral with lunch following. 

Memorials can be sent to a charity of your choice or the Autism Society of Minnesota.