Hi, Karrie: Here is a tribute I found fitting for this year: Don't think of her as gone away Her journey's just begun Life holds so many facets This earth is only one Just think of her as resting from the sorrows and the tears In a place of warmth and comfort Where there are no days and years Think how she must be wishing That we could know today How nothing but our sadness can really pass away And think of her as living in the hearts of those she touched For nothing loved is every lost And she was loved so much Still think of you daily & miss you dearly. Love Always, Auntie Mary

Hi, Karrie: Just a quick message to let you know you are in my thoughts and prayers daily - wish I could pick up the phone and it would be you on the other end. Someday we will be together again. I would have loved to tease you about becoming a Grandma before me. Sleep in heavenly peace - love always! Auntie Mary

This year you became a grandma! You would love Jax so much. Think about you all the time. I miss and love you so much. Mom

On February 7th 2012 your grandson Jaxon James Okerman was brought into this world at 8lbs 2oz 21inches at 12:54am! I can only imagin what you were saying when I was in labor and all the hell I put you through when you were having me! Every day I am reminded of how much I miss you so much! Your grandson is absolutely perfect and I wish you were here to see him grow you would have been he worlds greatest grandma! Ha to think you would have been called a grandma and to a BOY ;-) ! I miss you so much mom I feel as the years go on it gets harder and harder ! I talk to you almost every night and I hope you can hear me ! I just want to hug you and tell you I love you one more time but when it's my time I will be able to until then I miss you so much mom more then words could ever describe !!! love your daughter

Another year has past since you were here with us in body. I know that you are watching down on us and are very excited about the upcoming event. You would have been so proud to have a grandson. I hope he looks like you. I take comfort in knowing that you are at peace and with loved ones. You know what I feel in my heart and that I think of you often. Missing you - love mom.

I'm thinking about you and can't believe that it was forty years ago today that you came into my life. We had our good times and our bad times but I always loved you dearly (and still do). Wish you were here so we could give you a lot of grief about being an old lady. Someday we will celebrate together again in heaven. Missing you every day. Love you, mom

Happy Birthday, Karrie: We should be out celebrating instead of me writing this tribune; we would have had one helluva party. I miss dearly. Love always! Auntie Mary

It doesn't seem to get easier each and every day !! I wish you could be here when I found out i was pregnant! You would be so proud of all the challenges I have gone through and all the obstacles to bring me to who I am today and I Thank god every day for having the worlds greatest guardian angel there is not a day that doesn't go by that I don't think about you!! I miss you so much and my heart still has a missing spot that will never be replaced until me and you meet again! So many days I wish I could just have the one last hug the one last time smelling your perfume and watch you getting ready an how beautiful you are! I hope you know I love you so much and you would have been the worlds greatest grandma ever! I can't wait to tell him or her about you! I miss you so much mom It still isn't real! I hope you are having a good time up there watching us down here ! I love you mom <3

Today is the day we lost you but I look forward to the day we find each other again in Heaven. Always love and miss you alot. Mom

If tears could build a stairway and thoughts a memory lane I'd walk right up to heaven and bring you home again No Farewell words were spoken No time to say good-bye You were gone before I knew it And only God knows why. My heart's still active in sadness And secret tears still flow What it meant to lose you No one can ever know. But now I know you want us To mourn for you no more To remember all the happy times Life still has much in store. Since you'll never be forgotten I pledge to you today A hallowed place within my heart Is where you'll always stay. God knows why, with chilling touch, Death gathers those we love so much, And what now seems so strange and dim, Will all be clear, when we meet Him. I miss you still each and every day my sis! May you always watch down upon us and see how much we love you! Your lil sis Jaci

Hi, Karrie - hard to believe it's been 3 years. Not a day has passed that you have not been in my thoughts and prayers. I miss you, may your spirit continue to shine down on all of your loved ones. Keep the candle burning until we meet again! Maryellen

I so wish you could be here to see my family karrie!!! I wish that keegan would have been older than he could have remembered you!! I wish you could have met Peyton and Emily they are to different little girls..i well tell them all about you when they get older. I really miss you big sis. I think about you everyday and wonder what you are doing up there!! Its almost christmas time and that was the last time i seen you!!! almost 3 years ago i just can't believe its been that long!!! It still hurts so much that you are gone!! Sometimes it feels like i could just pick up the phone and call you but i know i can't do that!! :-( I love you so much!!! Goodbye for now!! Love your little sis!! Megan

Yesterday was your 39th birthday. I thought about you all day and Jenn called last because she also was thinking of you. Love you so much and wish you were here so I could give you a big huge.

Memories may be beautiful and yet, what's too painful to remember, we seemly choose to forget - missing you more than ever today - may your spirit shine down on all of us who loved you dearly. Happy Birthday!

Just realized tomorrow is your birthday! Happy Birthday my beautiful sister! I am sure you are celebrating somewhere:)

Just thinking of you tonight! Wish you were there when I got married my sister! I am so glad you got a chance to meet Collin and you approved:) You always had to give your opinion of the people in my lfe and I loved you for that! Miss you everyday. Love you!

I miss you so much karrie it hurts to think that pey or this new baby never got a chance to meet you. I know you are watching over us everyday but that just isnt enough anymore i wish i could have my sister back. I love you so much and always well!!! Love your litttle sis!! Megan

Karrie, You are mine and Kyla's guardian angel and she still talks about you all the time! She says when someone gets to be 100 they will disappear:) she has a lot of questions about heaven and I encourage her to pray to you and KK (because you and him are the only ones she had a chance to meet). I miss you and think of you often. I believe you are happy wherever you are. I love you my seestah and I pray that you are doing well! With love! Your little sis, Jaci

Karrie, Although it's been 2 years since you've been gone, not a day has gone by that I have not thought of you - miss your wittty personality and beautiful smile, still wait for your phone call. You'll live on in my heart forever. Love, Auntie Mary

Karrie i miss you so much it hurts everyday that i cant talk or see you!!! You where always there when i needed you the most...I love you and i well never stop loving you!!!

It has been two years today since we lost you my beautiful sister:( I love you and miss you everyday!

It's been two years now since I last talked to you. Every day when the phone rings I wish it would be you. Miss you so much! I will love you forever! Mom

HAPPY BIRTHDAY MY SEESTAH! I hope you are celebrating somewhere tomorrow! My only positive thought tomorrow is that I know that you would love the fact that you get to stay young forever! I love you!

Karrie, Ir's been a year and not a day goes by that you aren't in my thoughts and prayers I miss you dearly and just wish I could pick up the phone and hear your voice. Love always! Auntie Mary

Merry Christmas, Karrie: I missed at the cookie bake and will miss you at the family gathering. I wish you were here to help take care of Grandpa, I know how much he meant to you and know this is something you always wanted to do. I miss you, not a days goes by that I don't think of you and wish things could have been different. Hope all is well "somewhere over the rainbow". Kiss Grandma and KK for me. Love, Auntie Mary

I will always cherish our times in Nebraska - be it taking Jayme to North Platte for dinner at Applebee's, heading to the beach for a bonfire, our ski trip in Colorado, or just hanging out after work. You are missed, my friend! Love, Angie

Hey, Karrie: Jayme turned 21 today. I know you were looking forward to celebrating this milestone birthday with her so send her kisses from heavne. Miss You, Maryellen

Happy Birthday, Karrie: Hope you are celebrating with Grandma & Kaleb - not a day goes by that I don't think of you and miss you dearly. Love, Auntie Mary

Thinking of you right now!

Well today is Memorial Day! A day to mourne the dead but it still does not feel as though I should be mourning over you Karrie!! I still feel as though every day I could just call you and you would answer and be there to talk to me!! I love you and miss you every single day!! Good night:)

Well the burial is over and we now have somewhere that we can go to visit you Karrie. I could feel you watching us through the whole thing. There was a moment that the sun came through the clouds and beamed down on us. I could feel you:) It was very emotional for all of us. Auntie Mary had the idea of singing "Somewhere over the Rainbow". I never thought about that song in that light. I hope you heard your loved ones singing for you. Kyla's balloon didn't make it too far, she was very sad to think that you didn't get the message from her:) We told her that it wasn't her balloon that popped. Well I miss you! I think of you everyday! Something ALWAYS reminds me of you throughout the day! Love you and until next time.

I had a dream about you the other night Karrie, I dreamt that you actually called me!! I was so confused and was like "who is this?" I said "this isn't funny!". And you just kept saying "Jaci it's ok it's your sister". It felt so real! Maybe you sensed that I really missed our phone conversations and wanted to make me feel like things haven't changed. Even if it was just for one night:) By the way, Kyla talks about Auntie Karrie just about everyday. She doesn't understand why you can't take her to another movie:( I just tell her that Auntie Karrie is in heaven now but if you pray to her she will hear you:) I got very teary-eyed the other night, after I layed Kyla down for bed I was listening to her talk at her bedroom door and I could hear her talking to you!! It's amazing how smart she is! Well I love you sister!! Come see me in my dreams again soon!!

Hey, Karrie: Jaci shared the last email you sent her and it really made me laugh - you sure did have a great sense of humor (not sure if Hillary would agree). I miss you and not a day goes by that I don't think of you. In fact, have your picture on my desk so see you laughing at me daily. Love Ya!

Just got back from Florida a few days ago!! Thought about you the whole time!! You would have had so much fun!! Hopefully you were watchin from up above:) Love you!!

Thought of you again all day today!! I miss you so much!! I hate this... I have to talk to you:( Love you Karrie!!!

Just a quick memory that came to my mind. Every time Karrie was spending the night over, I knew I had to take a trip to the grocery store to buy breakfast fixing. My typical bagel breakfast would not do. Karrie required omelets, hash browns, sausage, and the works! Maybe breakfast sustained her the whole day?!

I was checking out baby names with a friend and saw CHLOE on the list. Karrie used to pretend her name was CHLOE sometimes....if she didn't like the guy who was hitting on her. (And her friend Marla would claim the name JENNIFER!!!!!) Anyway, that got me thinking about our young, young years and times at Schulz's bar in Superior. Back in the day when pitchers of beer were $2 and food was practically free if the Packers were paying and you weren't above eating free Packer food (which we WEREN'T)..... Well, back then, these guys once gave us $5 to play the juke box. We went up to the juke box and saw that there was already a LOT of songs loaded in. We looked at our (actually, his) $5, quickly calculated two pitchers and a tip vs. waiting for hours to her the music we selected, and decided to KEEP the money. For the next couple hours, we had to keep saying, "You played THAT song?" and "Oh, this is my FAVORITE one!" to every song that came on. I miss you, Karrie. Happy Valentine's Day!

Karrie, There is a huge hole in my heart!!! I can't believe what an influence you have had on my life!! Very sad that I didn't realize it until now that you are gone... I took advantage of the phone calls we had daily that really we had nothing to talk about but we just wanted to keep in touch... For pete's sake I would call you evertime Kyla would say something that was funny and you would call me everytime you saved a bunch of money at the grocery store and were proud of that!! I love you so much:) I am glad that we at least expressed our love for each other every phone call we had... We moved your stuff out of your house this weekend and that was very tough.. My gosh I never realized what a pack rat you were!!! Clothes from high school I mean come on LOL... It was hard to walk out of that house for the last time but necessary. I MISS YOU EVERYDAY!!

I still cannot believe Karrie is gone. I miss her phone calls, especially on Saturday's or in the evening after 6:30pm (she knew not to call me until I had a chance to watch my soap opera that I had taped). One of the last times I spent with Karrie was a Friday when we met at Grandpa Unto's to do some housecleaning. Karrie had me in tears laughing as we were scrubbing the kitchen floor on our hands and knees. She sure did have a great sense of humor. Not a day as gone by that I have not thought of you and know that your spirit will live on within my heart forever.

I remember we went to see a movie, and a woman was terribly distressed in one of the scenes. Karrie started to cry and didn't want to see anymore and so we left. She was gifted with a natural understanding of people, she couldn't stand to see someone suffer, she was born to help, to console, to teach. And she was tough! One time in a bar a few men were staring at her from across the bar, I suppose because of her angelic beauty. She told them to stop staring, but they just couldn't. So, she ridiculed their sexual preferences based on the way they were holding their glasses, and well, that did it. Other than me, no one looked at her the rest of the time we were in that place. She couldn't stop laughing about it, she thought it was so cool. I will never again know somebody like her, and I miss her.

I've been thinking about Karrie so much since her passing, and remembering all the times we spent together. I met her when I was 17 and I think we were inseparable until I was 21 and got married for the first time. During those late teen years, we did so much crazy stuff! I remember us working together at Ponderosa and the awesome party she threw for me at her apartment on Wellington Street when I turned 18. I remember us dancing around her apartment to "Foxy Lady" and listening to the Steve Miller Band and Garth Brooks. We used to drive the local radio DJs crazy because we were always calling in to request "American Pie." Oh, and then there were the days we donated plasma together when we were young and broke...Karrie actually made it FUN to donate plasma...we always joked around about how our "reward" was that delicious fruit juice they had there at the plasma center! As we got older we lost touch, but still ran into each other every few years, and it seemed we always picked up right where we left off. Karrie was so fun and full of life and laughter. I had a dream about her last night, and in the dream she was flying and soaring above the trees. That's how I would like to think of her now, as happy and free-spirited, like she always was when I knew her.

There were a some really fun times with Karrie as we all know when Karrie was involved there was never a dull moment! My favorite time with her was for sure Applefest! From the minute we all climbed in the van, to the stop at Presidents Liquor, to the stop at McDonalds... through allCaptain morgan we put in out McDonalds cups...To having the funnest day at Applefest! The sun was shining, there was so much laughter, music, food and pictures and posing. The beautiful water and and a few falls down the hill to and from the van. I remember us sharing a gyro during the parade and I think we had more gryo sauce down our face than we got in our mouth! If karrie was there it was always a good time because she was kind, loving, understanding, fun and always herself! Karrie we love you!

Wow i have no clue where to being. My mom was an amazing mother ! She knew how to brighten my day with her beautiful smile to her lovely laugh. She always made things better when i was either in the blue or just wasnt feel good. She would always try to be my bestfriend and hang out with me and my friends! She always had a joke to tell me everyday from the stupidest ones to the one that would make you almost pee your pants. She would always sing " Im to Bootielycious" by destiny's child and stand in front of my door to my room and shake her butt and say dont you wish you were as hot as me! Wow those were the days. She never would have given me up for anything. She was so proud of me. She would constantly talk about me or show my pictures to everyone. There are so many things that i could say about my mom but i would probably take up this whole page. I just want everyone to know that she was an amazing person. She will be missed by many. I love you Mom!

Where do I begin?? There are soooo many but here goes nothin: ~I have been told that when I was a baby Karrie didn't like the fact that a new baby was in the house after she was an only child for 10 years, so she used to pinch me to make me cry!! ~ When Karrie used to babysit me I remember she always made lunch fun by pretending she was my waitress (she also had a knack at being a good waitress when she got older) ~I remember when I was little I used to love to pretend I was on the Price is Right and I would make my mom yell Jaci Okerman come on down and I would run down the hall and say into the center piece on the coffee table (which was my microphone) 550 (that was my bid everytime) and after that I would go to a corner of the room and say spin the wheel! Karrie hated that she would roll her eyes and say "mom she's doing it again"!! ~I remember one time she was watching me and I asked her for a fork and she tossed it to me and it stuck in my cheek!!! ~I have many memories of going to the Apple Festival with my big seeestah!! We had such a blast every year we went ~I will always remember how Karrie always knew every word to every song that would come on the radio!! I thought that was sooo cool:) Well that is it for now!! As I remember more I will post!!