John Peter Karna's Obituary
John Peter Karna, age 83, passed away on July 4, 2009 in Enumclaw, Washington. The oldest of 14 children, John was born on December 9, 1925 in Michigan, North Dakota. He was preceded in death by his wife, Ardith Elaine Karna, and his mother Eleanor and father Oscar Karna. John is survived by his three children, John Dennis Karna (Ruth, Tucson, AZ), Debbie Ann Craig (Jeff, Enumclaw, WA), and Duane Richard Karna (Kathleen, Muncie, IN); his nine grandchildren; and two great grandchildren. John is also survived by three brothers, Donald, Robert, and Steven Karna, and two sisters, Susan and Carol.
John P. Karna served in the Navy from 1942 to 1945 as a painter 2nd class, sailing on the USS Klondike AD/AR 22. He married Ardith "Elaine" Bjorge in 1947 in North Dakota and, with Elaine, celebrated their 50th wedding anniversary in 1997. He and Elaine attended Emmanuel Lutheran Church in Tacoma, Washington and, together, they enjoyed travel, family, and photography in their retirement years. John worked for the Cammerano Brothers' distributors for 29 years, first as a truck driver/delivery person for Rainier Beer and, later, as a wine salesman for the same company.
He was a member of the Teamsters Union as well as the Elks Club in Tacoma, WA. A graveside service with the Reverend Richard H. Foege presiding will be held on Friday morning, July 10th at 9:30 am at the Tahoma National Cemetery in Covington, Washington. For further information, contact Mountain View Funeral Home in Lakewood, WA., at #253-584-0252. A memorial fund, in the name(s) of John Peter Karna and Ardith Elaine Karna, has been established at and may be forwarded to Emmanuel Lutheran Church, 1315 N. Stevens Street, Tacoma, WA. 98406. Contributions, in the name of John Peter Karna, may also be made to the Franciscan Hospice House, 2901 Bridgeport Way West, Tacoma, WA., 98466.
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