Judith Ann Karnowski Obit

JUDITH "JUDY" ANN (ORESKOVICH) KARNOWSKI, born Nov. 23, 1938, passed away on Sept. 17, 2026, surrounded by her family in their New Brighton home where she and her husband David Herman Karnowski raised their six children for the last 58 years. Judy was born in Crosby on Nov. 23, 1938, to Victor and Charline Oreskovich. She was the eldest of her six siblings: Marlys, Mardell, Sandy, Chuck, Kim and Victor. On Feb. 16, 1957, she married the love of her life, David, from Deerwood,  and they started their family.  They presided in Duluth for a while, eventually settling in New Brighton to build their forever home to raise their children. Just prior to starting her family, Judy graced the cover of the June 1957 Paul Bunyan Guest Guide as well as Minnesota’s Highway 6 Guide published by the Crosby Chamber of Commerce. She was a beautiful young woman who represented the Brainerd Lakes Area of northern Minnesota with radiance. While she was proud of her years in banking and retail management and loved the independence of being able to buy herself her first new car, her proudest moments centered around her family. She prepared home-made meals every night. Her home and natural gardens were tended to daily. Her gardens attracted a variety of wildlife, from squirrels to deer, which she loved to watch from her deck.  Multiple projects were always being juggled, including repainting her walls (again), refinishing all the woodwork throughout her house and refinishing antiques that she would bring home. She passed the trait of working hard and the passion for creating a beautiful home onto her children. The house typically had a pet at one time or another including; birds, dogs, puppy litters, rabbits and chickens, as well as other injured animals that would be rescued. Her love for animals and nature was inherited from her father. The years in their New Brighton neighborhood forged strong bonds between the neighbors resulting in lifelong friendships and vacations with those friends that will never be forgotten. Other friendships were also formed at the United Church of Christ of New Brighton where the family attended and she remained a member. Summers were all about returning to Deerwood with the family and boating on Serpent Lake, surrounded by friends and family.  There were camping trips to Canada and many day long outings to the St. Croix River on their boat. As years progressed and grandchildren and then great-grandchildren came into her life, she took an active role in their lives, helping to raise and care for them and attending many of their various activities. She also became Grandma Judy to many little ones that were not her actual grandchildren. Weekends staying in family cabins or her children’s homes were a great joy to her. She was always available to babysit, whether it was for children or animals. She was fiercely protective of each of her children and would do anything to help them and wanted more than anything for her children to be happy and taken care of. We will miss her every day and miss the home-made strawberry jams, the frosted Christmas cut-out cookies, the wontons and jalapeno jellies that she brought to family events.  So many things that will now be missing from our lives, along with her presence; our wife, mom, grandma, great-grandma, sister and aunt. Judy is preceded in death by her first born son, David Mark Karnowski (1961-1989), who was a convertible/ Harley driving, sky gliding, airline mechanic, who knew how to live and have fun and was taken from us way too soon. Also preceded by her parents Victor and Charline Oreskovich, brother Chuck Oreskovich, sister Marlys Hicks and many other loving family members. Judy will be forever missed by those she has left behind including: her husband David Herman Karnowski, daughter Vicki Lynn Hawkins and son-in-law Ron, son Brett Wayne Karnowski and daughter-in-law Lisa, sons Bradley Alan Karnowski and Devon Scott Karnowski and daughter Cami Corrine Karnowski. Also to be missed by her grand-children: Michael Hawkins (Stephanie), Kindra Christianson (Nick), Eaun Smith (Sarah), Logan, Ryan and Jason Karnowski and her great -grandchildren: Brennan, Gavin, Elsie, Peter, Kyle, Svea and Waylon. We will honor Judy in a Memorial Service on Saturday, Oct. 24, 2026.  The service will be held at 1 p.m. with visitation one hour prior at the Cascade United Methodist Church in Deerwood.  Following the service a lunch will be served at the church to continue sharing memories. Following, we invite all to join us at the Deerwood American Legion where we can raise a vodka gimlet (don’t forget the pickle relish) or a lime margarita in memory of Judy. Please feel free to bring pictures and memories to share as we remember the good times of Judy’s life and how much love she shared and was surrounded by.