Judy A. Karlen

1943 - 2025

Judy Ann (Block), age 81, of Waconia, MN, died peacefully on Tuesday, February 25, 2025, at the Good Samaritan Society of Waconia, MN.

Memorial Mass of Christian Burial will be held on Friday, March 28, 2025, 11:00 AM at Guardian Angels Catholic Church, 218 West Second Street, Chaska, MN, with Father Tony VanderLoop presiding. The family will receive friends 10:00-11:00 AM at the church. The inurnment will be at Guardian Angels Catholic Cemetery, Chaska.

Judy was born on July 28, 1943, in St. Paul, MN. On May 9, 1966, Judy married Dennis Karlen at Nativity Catholic Church. They had four children. They moved to Chanhassen in 1976, Chaska in 2006, and then Judy moved to Waconia in 2019.

After Judy graduated from high school, she enrolled at the Oliver Thein Beauty School in St. Paul, MN, in 1964. She worked most of her life as a hairstylist. Judy loved talking, getting to know people, and working with children. Other occupations throughout the years included licensed daycare provider, manager of several beauty shops, dietician, telemarketer, and registered nursing assistant (through Hennepin Technical College in Eden Prairie, MN).

Judy loved walking by the lake, gardening, camping, boating, and spending time with her family, friends, and pets. One of her wishes was to travel to Italy, which she did with her daughter, Gina, in 2006. She also went to the Bahamas (for her honeymoon), Carnival Cruise to the Virgin Islands, Hawaii, and visited many other states.

Everyone knows Judy loved movies! She had an immense collection of DVD movies. She invited everyone over, promising popcorn and pop. Some of her favorite movies were "Shall We Dance," "My Big Fat Greek Wedding," "Murphy's Romance," "Love Comes Softly," and "Elf."

Judy's family and friends will remember her sense of humor, unconditional love, and faithful life. A special thank you to Father Stan Mader from St. Joseph Catholic Community for giving Judy weekly Holy Communion. And thank you to Judy's sister-in-law Myra Karlen and friend Arlys Evans for visiting Judy often.

Judy was preceded in death by her husband, Dennis Karlen; parents, Adolph and Bernice Block and siblings, Thomas Block and Patricia Kramer.

Survivors include her children, Tony (Andrea) Karlen of Plymouth, Gina (Jeff) Gafford of Waconia, Terry (Mary) Karlen of Victoria, and Timothy Karlen of Montgomery; eight grandchildren, Brenna (Nate), Olivia, Zabdy, Adah (Luciano), Yolitzel, Louis, Gianna, and Nico; one great-grandchild, Athena; siblings, Betsy (Joe) Judkin of St. Paul, Toni Welliver of Minneapolis, and Gloria Anderson of Aitkin; and other relatives and friends.

Funeral arrangements are with the Bertas Funeral Home & Cremation Services of Chaska, 952-448-2137, bertasfh.com.