Karroll O. Walberg

About Karroll

Karroll Orlando Walberg, 87 years old, passed peacefully from congestive heart failure and complications on April 29, 2022. Karroll passed at his home in Clearbrook, MN, with Beverly, his wife of 68 years, at his side and numerous family members in attendance.

Karroll spent the last days of his full life literally across the street from the place where he spent the first days of his life after being born to Oliver and Esther (Engbretson) Walberg on July 29, 1934. At a birth weight of 2 pounds, his survival was certainly not guaranteed, but little Karroll, kept warm in a shoebox on the open oven door of the wood cookstove, proved himself to be a fighter and grew up meeting all of the typical milestones alongside his peers.

Karroll graduated with the class of 1952 from the Clearbrook High School in Clearbrook, MN. While still in school in September of 1951, Karroll met Beverly Marie Bjerke and his fate was sealed. Two years later, the couple said “I do” on August 1, 1953 and started their family.

First born was Kenneth on March 29, 1954, followed by Steve on October 30, 1955. After a short break, along came their third son, Randy (Tia), on October 25, 1958. Then, on May 11, 1961, they completed their family with the birth of Stanley (LeAnne).

The fact that all four boys chose to build their lives and raise their families within 5 miles of the home where they grew up says a lot about the home and life Karroll and Bev, together, were able to provide for them.

After graduating high school, Karroll held a wide range of jobs - a butter maker at the local creamery, Bradshaw gravel truck driver, bartender, temporary city cop, temporary school bus driver, Alden Comp. REA lineman, farmer, and, finally, a crane operator and foreman with the Soo Line Railroad where he worked for 30 years before retiring on June 1, 1991.

After retirement, Karroll enjoyed vegetable gardening and an ongoing feud with woodchucks - one in particular, that saw them acting out an Elmer Fudd/Bugs Bunny scenario in which Karroll posted at one corner of a shed, gun at the ready only to find that the woodchuck had snuck up beside him. When a small movement or noise caused them to become aware of their close proximity, they both squealed and tripped over themselves trying to create some distance. And, like Elmer and Bugs, they both lived to carry on another day.

Karroll was preceded in death by his parents, grandparents - Carl and Hilma Walberg, Ole and Tobina Engbretson, and son, Kenneth Walberg.

Karroll is survived by his wife, Beverly, sons Steve, Randy (Tia), and Stanley (LeAnne), grandchildren Heidi Walberg, Abby (Ben) Miller, Chrissy Walberg, Zachary Walberg, Simon (Kayla) Walberg, Ashley Walberg and Adam Walberg, step-grandchildren Daniel (Barb)Connor, Nikia (Chris) Ernst, Paige Berry and Mychal (Audrey) Berry Sr., and great grandchildren Lily, McCoy, Sophia, Jacob, Braela, Natalie, Cliff, Elizabeth, Natalie, Whitney, Mychal Jr., Violet, and Artemis, sisters Mavis (Calvin) Marcus, Leone (Ordean) Swanson, Betty (Dennis) Sundbom and brother-in-law Roger (Sandy) Bjerke.

memorial service

Memorial Services for Karroll

May 6, 2022

Cease Family Funeral Home 407 Getchell Ave NE, Bagley, MN 56621, USA

Visitation will be one hour prior.