Lucille Arlene Karns

Lucille Arlene Karns, 104, of Evansdale, IA, passed away peacefully on Friday, February 6, 2026, at Whispering Willow Assisted Living in Fredericksburg, IA leaving behind a legacy of love, laughter and an unforgettable spirit.

Lucille was born to Louis and Anna (Johnson) Paulson on October 2,1921, in Crawford County Wisconsin. Lucille was the third child in a family of 7 children. She attended school in Soldiers Grove, WI until her family moved to Iowa where she attended rural schools in Chickasaw and Howard County.

She was baptized into the Lutheran faith on November 24, 1921 at Kickapoo Lutheran Church in Solders Grove, Wisconsin and confirmed at Jerico Lutheran Church on June 21, 1936.

On April 6, 1947, she was united in marriage to Paul Karns. Paul and Lucille built their home in Evansdale and lived in the basement for a period of time until they saved up to build the main level. Lucille lived in this home for 75+ years until she moved to Whispering Willow Assisted Living. Paul passed away on February 4th, 1993. Lucille did not have children of her own, but children adored her. She was a SPECIAL aunt to many nieces and nephews and to the many children in the neighborhood especially to the Hosch kids (Jason, Meg, Katie and Ben Hosch)

Lucille did various jobs over the years and worked at the Rath meat packing plant in Waterloo for 38 years.

Lucille loved gardening. Her beautiful rose gardens even earned her a feature in the Waterloo Courier. Many church groups and children had “tea parties” in Lucille’s garden over the years. Lucille also had a great love for rocks. She enjoyed taking road trips with friends to collect them for her landscaping projects. These rock-picking adventures were filled with laughter, weighed down vehicles, and an abundance of rocks making it back to her house.

Lucille’s faith and love for her family and friends made her who she was. She loved it when the family would get together for holidays or “workdays” at the cemetery. Her laughter, strength and generous heart will be deeply missed and forever remembered by all who were blessed to know her.

Lucille is survived by Alvin (Bud) Paulson of Elma, IA; Harold (Marge) Paulson of San Leandro, CA; LuAnn Lipp of Mason City, IA, and many beloved nieces, nephews and friends.

Lucille had a special friendship with her old neighbor Nancy Hosch (Jim). The two of them cherished their annual Black Friday shopping tradition, turning it into far more than a quest for bargains. It became a day filled with laughter, shared stories, and the simple joy of being together. The family would like to thank Viola Glenn for her friendship and for the love and support that she provided to Lucille. Thank you to the Whispering Willow Assisted Living and St. Croix Hospice staff for their care this past month. Also, thank you to the members of Prince of Peace Lutheran Church for the friendship that you provided to Lucille over the years.

Lucille is preceded in death by her parents, husband, brother Orvin Paulson, sisters Coral Johnson, and Eileen Reichwald and her many friends who have gone before her.