Stanley Karels

Stanley R. "Stan" Karels, age 83 of Melrose, died peacefully with his wife at his side after a yearlong battle with cancer on Tuesday, November 5, 2013 at the CentraCare Nursing Home in Melrose, Minnesota.

A Memorial Mass of Christian Burial will be 11 a.m. Monday, November 11 at St. Mary's Catholic Church in Melrose with Rev. Marvin Enneking, Rev. Ken Thielman, and Rev. Vince Lieser concelebrating and Deacon Ernie Kociemba assisting. Inurnment will be in the parish cemetery.

Visitation will be from 9 to 11 a.m. Monday at St. Mary's Catholic Church in Melrose.

Stanley Richard Karels was born April 24, 1930 in Yellow Bank Township, Lac qui Parle County, Minnesota to Anton and Katherine (Lambrecht) Karels. Stan served in the United States Marine Corps during the Korean War, earning the Purple Heart. He was united in marriage to Deloras Matzke on May 25, 1968. She passed away on June 6, 1974. Stan then married Leona (Monnens) Unzen on June 4, 1983 at St. Mary's of the Lake in Plymouth, MN. Stan worked at Honeywell on the assembly line and as a group leader for 33 years. He retired in August of 1995 and moved to Melrose a year later. Stan enjoyed hunting rabbits, traveling, fishing, wildlife, and seeing different sights.

He was an active member of St. Mary's Catholic Church in Melrose, Melrose Lions Club, American Legion Post 101, and Knights of Columbus Council #1633. He earned the Helen Keller Award as a member of the Melrose Lions Club.

Survivors include his wife, Leona Karels of Melrose; step-children, Frances Allen of Keene, NH, Ronald (Carol) Unzen of Madison, MN, and Rebecca (John) Ferkinhoff of St. Cloud; six step-grandchildren; four step-great-grandchildren; and sisters, Sr. Bertha Karels, O.S.B. of St. Paul and Sr. Natalie Karels, O.S.B. of Lacey, WA.

He was in preceded in death by his parents; first wife, Deloras Karels; and brothers and sisters, Angeline Schmidt, Rufinus Karels, Gerhardt Karels, Lawrence Karels, Alphonse Karels, Florian Karels, and Josephine Sis.

Serving as urn bearers will be William and Leland Karels.