Mark Karels

Mark Leland Karels, 47, passed away Thursday, August 11, 2016, suddenly and unexpectedly. His passing has left an enormous hole in the hearts of his family and many friends. Mark was born to Leland and Ruby Karels on September 9, 1968, their third child and only son, and he became the baby brother to Pam and Laurie. The family lived in Blaine, Minnesota, where Mark went to school, played sports, primarily football, and became a lifelong Blaine Bengal. After graduating from Blaine High School in 1987, Mark attended Anoka Ramsey Community College, where he met and became friends with Julie Horn. Their friendship deepened, and after Mark transferred to the University of St. Thomas and Julie transferred to the University of Minnesota, they started dating. Soon their friendship blossomed into love. Mark graduated in 1991 with a B.A., cum laude, in business administration. On September 5, 1992, Mark and Julie married and settled in Coon Rapids, Minnesota. They were blessed with the birth of two beautiful and incredible children, Grant Leland in 1996, and Abigail Rose in 2001. Mark loved being a dad, a role he embraced with enthusiasm and joy. Once his kids started school and began playing sports, the former Blaine Bengal had to learn to love the rival Coon Rapids Cardinals, and he did! He proudly coached, cheered, and supported his kids through all of their activities, whether sports, band, drumline, scouts, or anything else. Mark spent the majority of his professional career with Wells Fargo, building strong relationships within his various teams. Mark was a huge sports fan, a lifelong devotee of the Minnesota Vikings, Minnesota Twins, and Minnesota Timberwolves. Thanks to Grant's choice of colleges, Mark also became a supporter of the University of Minnesota Golden Gophers. In addition to watching sports, his competitive nature kept him participating on teams in various activities, including: softball (starting with a Wells Fargo crew), indoor volleyball, sand volleyball, golf, and bowling. Mark was also the commissioner of a fantasy football league for many years. He was an avid reader (just ask the ladies staffing the used book sale at Epiphany's annual Spring Fest), listened to and appreciated music from diverse genres (favorites ranged from Johnny Cash to AC/DC), and enjoyed lively, but respectful discussions with friends. Mark loved to work out, bike, and walk Ellie, the family dog. Though he appeared reserved on the outside, he was the first one to pull you out on the dance floor. He really loved spending time with family and friends, whether that involved some sort of organized activity or just hanging out and talking. Mark was a lifelong learner, and was so proud to be a Tommie that he returned to the University of St. Thomas for graduate school, earning his M.B.A. in 2011. Some of his favorite possessions were his almost 100 baseball caps supporting sports teams at the local, college, and professional levels; his almost 200 t-shirts supporting his kids' sports and drumline teams, his own teams (such as his 1029 Bar-sponsored softball team), as well as the college (Notre Dame football) and professional teams (Minnesota Vikings) he followed; and his hundreds of books. Mark's spirituality was important to him and he enjoyed attending church. He was an amazing husband, father, son, brother, uncle, nephew, friend, teammate, coach, and co-worker. Mark was the kind of person who cheerily greeted you every time he saw you and always gave the greatest hugs. He was kind-hearted, generous, fun, smart, supportive, thoughtful, and always gave 100% to everything he did. He had a great sense of humor. Mark is fondly remembered by Julie and the kids as a dad who was always willing to set chores aside in order to do something fun together instead. He will be deeply missed by all who knew him. He is preceded in death by his grandparents and several other relatives. Mark is survived by his loving wife, Julie (Horn) Karels; son, Grant Karels; daughter, Abigail Karels; parents, Leland and Ruby (Pieper) Karels; sister and brother-in-law, Pam and Lyle Horihan; sister and brother-in-law, Laurie and Dave Matson; mother-in law, Susan Horn; father-in-law and mother-in-law, Russell and Judy Horn; sister-in law and husband, Christine and Trent Lundberg; sister-in-law and husband, Sandy and Mike Johnson; nephews and nieces, Nicholas (Beth) Horihan, Ryan Horihan, Meghan Horihan, Katie Horihan, Alyssa (Jeff) Dennie, Greg Matson, Emily Matson, Noah Johnson, Lucas Johnson, and Olivia Lundberg; great nephew, Brantley Morris; great niece, Cynthia Horihan; many aunts, uncles, cousins, friends, and co-workers.

Two of Mark's favorite Bible verses:

"I can do all things through Christ who strengthens me" (Philippians 4:13 [21st Century King James Version]).

"…if ye have faith…nothing shall be impossible unto you" (Matthew 17:20).

Another favorite of Mark's:

God grant me
SERENITY
to accept the things I cannot change
COURAGE
to change the things I can and
WISDOM
to know the difference

- The Serenity Prayer


Visitation will be held at Miller Funeral Home, 6210 Hwy 65 NE, Fridley MN from 5-8 PM on Thursday, August 25, 2016 with a Prayer Service at 7 PM. Mass of Christian Burial will be held on Friday, August 26, 2016 at the Church of St. Timothy, 707 89th Ave NE, Blaine, MN at 11 AM with a visitation one hour prior. Interment to follow at Epiphany Cemetery. In lieu of flowers memorials preferred to the family.