Lillian Esther Karakula (Hietala)

Lillian Esther (Hietala) Karakula was born June 25, 1934 in Detroit, MI to Swedish-American immigrants Uno Wilhelm Hietala and Beda Esther (Ylitalo) Hietala. She graduated Magna Cum Laude from McKenzie High School in Detroit in 1952 and married Walter Stanley Karakula on December 5, 1953 at St Brigid's Church in Detroit. Lillian worked for the CIA while Walter was in the US Army 1953-1955 after which time they returned to Michigan and started their family. She became a devoted Wife and Mother and full-time homemaker and they moved to Dearborn in 1966. They had six children: Karen (Steve) Beukema of Knoxville, TN; Ken (Carolyn) Karakula Sr of Kalamazoo, MI; Kris Karakula of Stanwood, MI; Kathy (Kurt) Kachin of Canton, MI; Kim (Mike) Lorenz of Livonia, MI; and Kirsten Karakula who was born on her birthday in 1974  and preceded her in death in 1992. Lillian has a brother Gerald (Barbara) Hietala of San Diego, CA. She has 19 grandchildren: Michelle Beukema, Eric Beukema, Wendy (Kevin) Southwood, Ken (April) Karakula Jr, Christina (TJ) Kozminske, Johnathan Karakula, Becky Karakula, Bethany (Jonathan) Karakula- Edwards, Tim Karakula, Jeremy Karakula, Hannah Karakula, Kevin Kachin, Katie Kachin, Kyle (Sam) Kachin, Kristopher Kachin, Bryan Schultz, Stephanie Schultz, Nicole Karakula, and Krista (Albert) Yant.  She also has 16 great-grandchildren: Anna Beukema, Tristan Southwood, Sophia Southwood, Nathaneal Karakula, Avalyn Karakula, Chloe Karakula, Hollyn Karakula, Ella Kozminske, Clara Kozminske, Kevin Karakula-Lewman, Carolee Edwards, Maxwell Kachin, Emma Kachin, Avery Karakula, Alyssa Karakula, and Albert Yant Jr.  Lillian was a past member of Hope Lutheran Church and current member of St Paul Lutheran Church in Dearborn where services Celebrating her Life & Faith will be held 11 AM Saturday, September 24, 2016.  Visitation will be 3-8 PM Friday at the Howe-Peterson Dearborn Chapel and 10 AM Saturday at the Church. Burial will follow next to her parents and Kirsten in Glen Eden Memorial Park in Livonia. Memorial Gifts may be made to St Paul Lutheran Church or Hope Lutheran Church.