Karen J. Ketola
GWINN, MI- Karen Jean Ketola, 78, of Gwinn, died Saturday, January 17, 2026, at Norlite Nursing Center in Marquette, surrounded by family.
She was born July 26, 1947, in Daggett, Michigan, a daughter of Roy and Dorothy (DeGrave) Wery. She was raised in Wilson and was a 1965 graduate of Carney-Nadeau High School. She then attended Andrews University in Lower Michigan.
Karen married Paul J. Ketola on November 10, 1968, and he preceded her in death in 2014.
She stayed home to raise her kids when they were young. As the kids grew, she worked as a florist for Knots & Flowers in Gwinn before taking a position as a clerk for Forsyth Township where she worked for several years, retiring in 2010 to care for her youngest granddaughter.
She was a member of Grace Lutheran Church and later the Seventh Day Adventist Church. Her interests included spending time with her grandchildren and family, reading, playing bingo, and later in life she recommitted to the religion in which she was raised. She enjoyed many adventures with her family including trips to Alaska, whitewater rafting in Montana, Disneyland, Disney World, Nashville where she realized her dream of seeing the Grand Old Opry, House on the Rock, and South Carolina to watch her youngest grandson graduate from National Guard Basic Training. She will be remembered by her family as a very loving and giving person. She will be greatly missed and leaves a hole in the family that will not be filled.
Karen is survived by her children, Gregory (Avis) Ketola of Gwinn and Jennifer (Andy) Mergens of Chugiak, Alaska; grandchildren, Brett Ketola, Kenneth Ketola, Sydney St. Clair, Senya Ketola, Marah (David) Staggs, and Chase (Destinee) Grinnell; great-grandchildren, Jaxson and Caden Grinnell; sister, Frances Cline of Escanaba; sisters-in-law Sheila Rastello, Mavis Jancsi, and Ruth Crist; and many nieces and nephews.
She was preceded in death by her parents, husband, 11 siblings, and several brothers- and sisters-in law, as well as several nieces and nephews.
The family wishes to express sincere appreciation to the staff at Norlite Nursing home in Marquette for their kindness and care of Karen over the last year.
Visitation will be held on Friday, January 23, 2026, from 10 am to 12 noon at Canale-Gwinn Funeral and Cremation Services. A memorial service will be held at 12 noon with Pastor Dick Bullock officiating. A luncheon will follow the service at the funeral home. Interment will take place in the Gwinn Cemetery in the spring.
Memories of Karen ay be shared at canalefuneral.com