Kay Karels

Kay A. Karels, age 79, of Faribault, MN, passed away peacefully on Friday, January 15, 2021 at her home with her family at her side following an extended illness.

Kay was born on November 26, 1941 in Redwood Falls, MN to Raymond and Eileen (Ruhland) Sindelir.  She graduated from Olivia High School with the class of 1959 and St. Mary’s School of Nursing in 1962 as a Registered Nurse (RN).  Kay was united in marriage to Ronald Karels on September 5, 1964 in Olivia.  Ron and Kay lived in Madison, MN before moving to Faribault in 1987.  She worked as an RN at St. Mary’s Hospital in Minneapolis and Madison Hospital before raising her children.  She later continued her nursing career at the Wilson Center in Faribault. Kay enjoyed needle point, crocheting, reading, baking, and flower gardening.

She is survived by her husband of 56 years, Ronald Karels of Faribault; children, Michelle Graff (Mark) of Marshall, MN, Mike Karels (Deb) of Esterville, IA; grandchildren, Josh Graff, Callie Graff, Megan Karels, and Taylor Karels; brother, Terry Sindelir (Rae) of Gibbon, MN; sisters-in-law, Dena Sindelir of Franklin, TN, and Diane Krolak (Leonard) of Anderson, SC; and nieces, nephews, and other relatives and friends.

She was preceded in death by her parents, Ray and Eileen; brother, Ray Sindelir; and sister-in-law, Alanna Christensen.

Memorial Mass of Christian Burial will be held on Wednesday, January 20, 2021 at 11:00 a.m. at the Divine Mercy Catholic Church, 139 Mercy Drive, Faribault.  Visitation will be held from 9:30 – 11:00 a.m. at the church.  For those unable to attend, you may watch the livestream of the service through a link on Kay’s obituary page at www.ParkerKohlFuneralHome.com

In lieu of flowers, memorials be directed to the Faribault Area Hospice Foundation, Divine Mercy Catholic Church, or the choice of the donor in memory of Kay.