Jack Karpinen died peacefully on February 1, 2021 at age 86. Preceded in death by his wife of 50 years, Susan (nee Sauer) Karpinen and his sister Irene Shaft. Survived by sister Ruth Wegener, brother Donald (Sara) Karpinen, and children Tracey (Scott) Gardner, Rick (Lisa) Wolf, and Jeff Wolf. Grandfather to Alyssa Gardner, Hoyt Gardner, Megan (nee Wolf) Gray, Chelsea Wolf, and Tommy Wolf.
Jack has resided in Chagrin Falls, Ohio since 2004, moving there to be near daughter Tracey. Before that, he and Susan had retired to Surprise, Arizona.
Born to Onni and Enna Karpinen, December 22, 1934 in Ironwood, Michigan. Jack attended Luther L. Wright High School in Ironwood, followed by Michigan Tech to study engineering. He moved to Milwaukee, Wisconsin working as a civil engineer for Milwaukee County for 32 years. He was involved in many interesting projects including County Stadium and the sea lion exhibit at the Milwaukee County Zoo. He retired in 1991.
Jack was an active member and elder at Our Redeemer Lutheran Church in Wauwatosa, Wisconsin. He was an avid golfer and league bowler. He was a big sports fan and closely followed teams in all the places he lived over the years.
Jack succumbed to Alzheimer’s disease after being cared for at Arden Courts (Memory Care) of Chagrin Falls for over five years.
A brief graveside ceremony will be held Friday, February 5th at 11:00 a.m. (Evergreen Cemetery, 506 S. Franklin St., Chagrin Falls, OH). Covid-19 protocols will be followed.
If you wish to send correspondence to family members, you may send in care of Stroud-Lawrence Funeral Home where they will be immediately forwarded.
Stroud-Lawrence Funeral Home
200 Industrial Parkway
Chagrin Falls, OH 44022
To send flowers
to the family or plant a tree
in memory of Jack Ruben Karpinen, please visit our floral store.