Karith Remmen
April 01, 2015
Karith Remmen, age 43, of Des Moines, IA, died on Wednesday, April 1, 2015, at her home, from a stroke.
Memorial services will be held at 11:00 a.m., Tuesday, April 7, 2015, at the Washington Prairie Lutheran Church, 1725 Washington Prairie Road, Decorah, IA, with Rev. Mark Kvale presiding. Burial will be in the church cemetery.
Friends may call from 4:00-7:00 p.m., on Monday, April 6, 2015, at the Schluter – Balik Funeral Home, 604 South Avenue, Decorah, IA, and also after 10:00 a.m., at the church on Tuesday morning.
Karith Anna Remmen was born on September 17, 1971, in Rochester, MN, the daughter of Steven Remmen and Marilyn (Turner) Remmen. She was stepdaughter to Jane (Bowers) Remmen and Carol (Harris) Remmen. She spent her years growing up with parents Jane and Steve and sisters Laurie and Kelly. Karith was baptized and confirmed at Washington Prairie Lutheran Church. She attended elementary school at South Winneshiek and later Postville Schools. She graduated from Postville High School in 1990. She attained a baccalaureate degree from Upper Iowa University and a Master’s in Education from Iowa State University. Karith was married to Greg Humpal for nineteen years. On December 23, 1992 they became the parents of Kaitlyn Jo. Karith entered her career in public education and later transitioned to the field of public health and health information technology. Karith had a great zest for life. She was a best friend to many including her daughter. She was a fun loving person who found the positive side to any situation. She could talk to and connect with anyone. Karith was always helpful to friends and family. She played piano, flute and enjoyed music. Karith was always the first one on the dance floor and the last one off. Her smile and laugh were contagious. She loved outdoor activities in the summer months, often camping and kayaking on the river, bravely overcoming her fear of bugs. She will be greatly missed and fondly remembered.
Karith is survived by her daughter: Kaitlyn Humpal, West Des Moines, IA. Two sisters: Laurie Ellingson and her husband Cory, Lawler, IA, and Carolin (Kelly) Remmen and her husband Sherman Watts, Decorah, IA. Two step-mothers: Jane (Bowers) Remmen, Waterville, IA, and Carol (Harris) Remmen, Postville, IA. Grandparents: Glenn and Ruth Remmen, Decorah, IA, and Merle Turner, Postville, IA. Aunts and uncles: Nancy (Remmen) Layton and husband Bruce, Bethesda, MD; Bruce Turner and wife Sherilyn, San Tan Valley, AZ; Douglas Turner and wife Shelley, Forest City, IA; Kent Turner and wife Joanne, Bloomington, MN, and Sandy (Turner) Todd, Winona, MN; Susan Bowers Vergeront, Waunakee, WI, along with several cousins.
Karith was preceded in death by her mother: Marilyn (Turner) Remmen and her father, Steven Remmen, her grandfather: Boyd Turner and uncles: Richard Paine and Owen Todd.