Obituary for
Carmen K. Karlberg
Long-time Missoulian, Carmen Kreidel Karlberg died at her Flathead Lake home, "Camelot", on August 7, 2013, with her family by her side.
Carmen was born March 14, 1924 to Abe and Esther Kreidel in Ellensburg, Washington. Her early years were spent with her family in Ellensburg. Following high school graduation she attended the University of Washington in Seattle. During the height of WW II, her father became concerned about public safety in Seattle and forcefully requested she transfer to the University of Montana (formerly MT State University) where she studied business and was a member of the Alpha Phi sorority. She met her future husband, Karl Karlberg in a UM accounting class. She returned to the UW, earning a degree in business in 1945, but was smitten and returned to Missoula to be with the love of her life, Karl.
Carmen and Karl were married in Ellensburg on October 20, 1946. They made their home in Missoula, where Carmen was a homemaker and dedicated mother to her two children, Kay and Chris. While raising her children she supported their many activities including Campfire Girls and Cub Scouts.
Carmen was a warm, gregarious woman who dearly loved her family, friends, dogs, and the Flathead Lake home she built with her husband Karl. She had a quick wit and a keen eye for the stock market. Her memorable laugh brought warmth and comfort to all who knew her.
She and her good friend and neighbor, Kay Kress, were instrumental in the development of Whitaker Park in their Farviews neighborhood.
She was proceded in death by her parents Abe and Esther Kreidel, her brother Sam, and her husband Karl. She is survived by her daughter Kay Karlberg of Missoula and son and daughter-in-law Chris and Debbie Karlberg and their children and grandchildren of Kalispell, her devoted puppy Maddy, and several nieces and nephews.
A reception in Carmen's honor will be held at the Doubletree Hotel on Friday, August 23, 2013 from 4-7 pm.
The family requests memorials be made to the University of Montana Foundation-Karl R Karlberg Memorial Scholarship Fund in memory of Carmen Karlberg, PO Box 7159 Missoula, MT 59807-7159 or by calling 1 800 443-2593.
Read Carmen Karlberg's Obituary and Guestbook on www.groganfuneralhome.com.