Marlene Karow

Marlene L. “Toots” Karow, age 64, of Faribault, MN, passed away suddenly on Thursday, July 25, 2019 at her home.

Mass of Christian Burial will be held on Thursday, August 1, 2019 at 10:30 a.m. at the Divine Mercy Catholic Church, 139 Mercy Drive in Faribault, with Fr. Brandon Theisen officiating.  Interment will be held at the Calvary Cemetery in Faribault.

Visitation will be held at the Parker Kohl Funeral Home & Crematory of Faribault on Wednesday from 4:00 to 7:00 p.m. and at the church on Thursday for one hour prior to services.

All memorials given to the family will be distributed to Marlene’s favorite charities.

Marlene Lois, the daughter of Leo and Irene (Caron) Thompson, was born on December 29, 1954 in Faribault, MN.  She attended Faribault High School and graduated with the class of 1973.  Following high school Marlene attended Anoka Vocational School and received her Associates Degree.  Marlene married Tom Henry and they had two sons, Dan and Joe Henry.  They were later divorced.  She later married Michael A. Karow on May 18, 1991.  Mike preceded her in death on August 14, 2010.  Marlene worked for 40 years at District One Hospital in Faribault as a Medical Transcriptionist, retiring in 2014.  When her sons were in grade school Marlene always volunteered to go on field trips with their classes and the kids would always be very excited to have her as part of the trip.  She had an amazing sense of humor and always made the moment lighter with something she would say or do.  She loved spending time with family and friends and especially enjoyed getting together every month with her former coworkers from District One Hospital.  Marlene also enjoyed spending time at the cabin, especially fishing and sitting by the fire.  She was wholly altruistic and was extremely active in her faith and church.  She enjoyed singing and was a longtime member of the choir.  She was also active in Cursillo and sponsored others to make a Cursillo weekend.  For many years Marlene also did calligraphy for the Memorial Mass held each year to honor those who had passed in the prior year.

She is survived by her two sons, Dan Henry of St. Paul, MN and Joe Henry and Megan Schleicher of Neenah, WI; by her granddaughter, Cecelia Henry; by six siblings, Francis Thompson of Faribault, Joan Pitsavas of Faribault, Veronica Newburg of La Crosse, WI, Bernadette Marx of Faribault, Patrick (Constance) Thompson of Fort Worth, TX and Mark Thompson (special friend Marlene Peters) of Faribault, and by many nieces, nephew and other relatives and friends.

She is preceded in death by her parents; husband, Michael; sister, Carol Nichols.