Irene was born in Chassell, Michigan to the late Emil & Huldah (Mantylla) Ranta. Irene was 11 years old when her mother passed away. She continued to live on the farm with her father and older sisters Helmi, Aili, Helen and younger brothers Arvid and John. One of her jobs on the farm, as the youngest sister, was to pick the potato bugs off of the potatoes! She couldn't wait 'til her brothers were older and she could pass on that particular chore.

Irene attended Chassell schools and remembers during the wintertime the kids were picked up for school by a horse-drawn sled with a small stove for warmth on board. She later attended Doelle Schools when they moved near Tapiola.

Her father married the late Vieno Kamppinen who had a young son named Ronnie, in 1938. Irene and Vieno became very close.

Irene graduated from high school, but was removed from school during her senior year as she had tested positive for Tuberculosis. She was placed in the Houghton Sanitarium for nearly 2 years. Her dear sister Helmi came to visit her every week despite the dangers of the disease. She brought clean clothes and took Irene's clothing home to wash. Helmi also brought her teen magazines and a radio to hear the latest Top 10 hits! When Irene was finally released from the sanitarium, the doctors admitted that they never really knew if she had TB. As she watched some of her young friends in the sanitarium die of the disease, It became a life-changing experience for her.

On January 1st, 1949 she was united in marriage to Aulie Karna, from Painesdale, MI who preceded her in death on Dec 3, 1993. They resided in the City of Detroit and the Detroit area for the remaining years of their lives. Aulie worked in various factories and Irene worked as a secretary for the March of Dimes organization before they had children.

Irene & Aulie had 4 children - 1 girl and 3 boys. Irene started working again in 1960. She had various jobs through the years, but she didn't start driving until 1968. She walked a mile to work in the rain, wind, sleet or snow. Women had to wear skirts back then so there were times when she was quite cold by the time she arrived at work or back home. Aulie had a job in a factory downtown many miles away and took the bus. They worked very hard. They have left a legacy of love along with a very healthy work ethic! Irene continued working as a bookkeeper through her early 70's.

Surviving are one daughter, Pamela (Denny) Vogel, and 3 sons, Timothy Karna, Thomas (Sharon) Karna, and Theodore (Carol) Karna.
Irene was preceded in death by her sisters Helmi (John) Ruotsi, Helen (Albert) Harma, Aili Rimmi, and brothers Arvid (Dorothy) Ranta and John (Nina) Ranta.
Her surviving siblings are Ronald (Beverly) Ranta, Paul (Karen) Ranta, Shirley (Mike) Yokie and Susan (Scott) Simkover.
Irene is also survived by 7 grandchildren; Matthew R. & Michael T. Vogel, Gregory T., Bradley V., Marjorie J., James D., and Jennifer N. Karna, 2 great grandchildren; Keelie Mae Craique and Kennedy Claire Karna and numerous nieces and nephews.

Visitation will be on December 8 from 12:00-2:00 p.m. at Thayer-Rock Funeral Home and the funeral service will follow at 2:00 pm.

Burial will be with her husband, Aulie, at the Fort Custer National Veterans Cemetery in Battle Creek, MI.

In place of flowers, memorial contributions can be made in Irene's name to: St. Anne's Mead - Assisted Living, Nursing Care Center 16106 W. 12 Mile Rd., Southfield, MI 48076.
http://www.stannesmead.org/


St. John Hospice
St. John Health Foundation
PO Box 673271
Detroit, MI 48267-3271
Or please call (800) 248-2298
http://www.stjohnprovidence.org/Hospice/


Emmanuel Lutheran Church
Donations may be sent to: Emmanuel Lutheran Church
23425 Lahser Road
Southfield, Michigan 48033
(248) 357-1848
http://www.emmanuellutheransouthfield.org/

Arrangements by Potti Funeral Directors.