Karen Ann Oja

Karen Ann Oja, 69 of Carlton, formerly of Biwabik died Wednesday, August 22, 2012 in her home. She was born November 7, 1942 in Biwabik to Edward and Florence Zallar. She graduated from Biwabik High School in 1960. Karen attended the Minnesota School of Business in Minneapolis. She moved to Palo Alto, California for a short time before moving back to Biwabik to marry Philip Oja. She was a homemaker raising their two children and working odd jobs in her later years. Karen was a member of St. John's Catholic Church in Biwabik and she enjoyed bowling every Wednesday. She loved to write poems, sketch, and spend time with her family. Karen moved to Carlton in 2010 to be closer to her daughter. Karen was preceded in death by her parents and her husband, Philip. She is survived by her daughter, Teri (Brad) Voge of Carlton; son, Scott (Mandy) Oja of Lonsdale, Minn.; three grandchildren, Collin and Karlyn Voge and Alana Oja; brothers, Tom (Marcy) Zallar of Gilbert, and Mike (Diane) Zallar of Biwabik; and several nieces and nephews. Memorial services were held Saturday, August 25, 2012 in the Atkins Northland Funeral Home, 801 14th St., Cloquet. To sign the guest book and offer an online tribute, see www.atkinsnorthlandfuneralhome.com