Land of the silver birch,

Home of the beaver

Where still the mighty moose wanders at will

Blue lake and rocky shore

I will return once more.

I had the pleasure of working with Karla for the last couple of years at Pearson. She was a truly special person who always had a fun story to tell. She spoke often of her family and always seemed to have a smile on her face. Karla will be dearly missed by all of us who had the honor of knowing her.

Karla was one of my first friends when we were little girls growing up in Superior. She and her magical family lived down the block from us...and we shared many wonderfully happy times: red rover, capture the flag, antie i over, soup kettle malts and burgers...

But what I remember the most and best of all was the laugh out loud laughter we shared as a result of connecting with this family, with Karla. We colored (I learned how to outline from her!), played dress up (one of my favorite photos is one of Karla and I in beads and hats), sang songs...I even almost got to go on a trip with Karla to visit family until my Evil Car-sickness + riding backwards in the station wagon had me throwing up in all those doll clothes...then having to turn around and come back home.

My heart was broken when Karla and her family moved to Cloquet, where their family magic touched other lives; And though we drifted apart, she is always in my heart, as a friend I will always remember.

Please accept my deepest sympathy for Karla's passing. While I didn't know Karla well, I know she was always quick to lend a smile when I passed her in the Iowa City offices on my travels there. She supported the Alaska program contract we've held at Pearson for six years and the program team that works with me were very fond of Karla and always considered her a wonderful team member. I'm sure she will be missed by all her family very much, including her Pearson family. I hope you can all smile as you no doubt remember small things each day about some past experience with her. Please take heart in knowing she made a positive difference for those with whom she worked, and beyond that for our customers in far-away locations.

Long long ago in the 1960s in Cloquet I used to walk with Karla to school down Carlton Avenue. I lived on Carlton and 20th and she lived further down Carlton Avenue near the Jr/Sr High Schools. Once in a while her father used to accompany us..He was the principal and I was so nervous walking when he would do that. I had my first "slow dance" ever with Karla in 1966 at the Junior High dance. Judging from the photos I can see she had a wonderful life and family.

Steven F. Brown

I will always remember the night of the big snowfall of 2008 when neighbor dug out neighbor. Karla was the last to stop shoveling that night and she kept me going when I wanted to stop. Finally we both agreed that our backs hurt, the driveways were cleared and it was time to go home; folks were taken care of. My heart goes out to all the family, and to rest of us for our loss.

I have known and worked with Karla for over twelve years - she was a great friend and teacher I will miss her dearly. To her family I send my deepes condolences and prayers.

My sympathy goes out to all of you. I could not have been more shocked to hear about Karla's death. I worked with Karla in Publishing Operations at Pearson. She was a mentor and friend and I'll miss her terribly. She was a kind and generous person and was always willing to share her knowledge, a good story, a laugh, an afgan pattern. She was one of a kind. I'll think of her every Tuesday and miss her at our lunch date.

I went to school with Corey. Karla was so nice and caring. Our thoughts and prayers are with you and your family.

My deepest sympathy to Karla's family at this difficult time. I worked with Karla in Pub Ops at Pearson. She took me under her wing when I started in the department 13 years ago, and we've been good friends since. Karla was one of the most generous people I've ever known. No matter how busy she was, she never turned anyone away that needed help or had a question. She was so smart, not just about work, but about everything! Karla was also great fun to be with - she always had lots of stories and laughed easily. We could talk about the silliest things, and laugh until we cried. I'll miss our standing lunch date for Mexican every Tuesday, no matter what! There are so many things I'll miss about Karla - she was a very special person, and a very special friend.

Mark & Family:

So sorry to hear of your loss. You & your family are in our thoughts & prayers.

To all of Karla's family,

It is with a very heavy heart that I extend my most deepest sympathy. I first met Karla in 2005 when we began our Alaska Program. She was so responsive in helping us get all of our materials created. Karla took such pride in her work and she was always full of life. We often shared stories of raising "sons" and what a gift that was. Last week Karla shared how excited she was to have time over the holidays with her family and that being a grandmother was the ultimate. Karla's heart was open to everyone and she shared her talents abundantly. Last night while making Christmas cookies, I used the beautiful red poinsettia pot holder she crocheted and gave me in 2005 for Christmas. I will treasure it forever and she will always be in my heart. I hope you all find comfort in reading these messages from so many whose life Karla touched and share them with your families for years to come. I know that Karla is at eternal peace and someday you will all be reunited with her again.

God Bless you all,

Mary Carr

When I had Cory and Casey in kindergarten, Karla was always there to help with whatever was needed. She had a great sense of humor and understood her boys' development. I will always remember Karla catching me in a photo wearing my Herky beak for Hawkeye Day. It is commemorated in the Mark Twain yearbook.

Mark, Vicki & Becky, our thoughts and prayers go out to you and your families during this difficult time. We are so sorry for your loss.

Dear Karla,

Josh, Trisha, Megan, Chris and the entire family;

I am so sorry to hear of the loss in your family. Mrs. Strommer I will always remember Karla for her quick wit, love for her family and animals and I could always count on her in a pinch. I enjoyed Casey and TJ's years at Mark Twain when Karla helped me with boy scouts. When my disorganization would set in, I could always count on Karla to come up with an interesting and quick teaching lesson or a craft project to keep the boys entertained. Mrs. Strommer, you and your family (Lori, Becky, Cory and Casey, etc.) are in my thoughts and prayers.

I am so sorry to hear of Karla's passing. The one thing I will always remember of the Strommer girls is how they loved to sing. They are a very special family.

I am deeply saddned by the news. I worked closely with Karla for many years when NCS was the contractor for the New Jersey Department of Education graduation tests. Karla was bigger than life with an infectious sense of humor. It was aleays a pleasure to work with her.

Chance, so sorry to hear about Karla. although I didn't know her, I know how much it hurts to loose a loved one.

Please know my thoughts and prays are with you and your family at this

time.

Barb #56

Julie,Vicki and family

our thoughts are with each of you at this time.

with warmest hugs

kenny , linda ,

dustin and kelsi fobian

andy, courtney and bryson eckrich

I worked with Karla for several years while I was at the New Jersey Department of Education. I loved Karla's sense of humor and seeing a bright side of any situation, no matter how stressful or crazy it might be. I always felt better after we spoke, whether on the phone or in person. Her good moods and confidence were absolutely infectious! My thoughts and prayers are with Karla's family. l will light a candle in her memory. She was a very special person and will be missed by all who knew her.

I am shocked. My deepest sympathies go out to Karla's family. Anyone who ever met Karla knew that they were the most important thing to Karla. I met Karla back in 1997 when I started at the NJ Department of Education. She was extremely dedicated, worked as hard as anyone I know but still managed to keep a larger than life sense of humor about everything. We worked under some very tight deadlines and Karla always managed to keep the mood light and funny (even when I had the flu in Iowa in January when it was 12 below). She touched my life and that of many others and will truly be missed.

My sincere sympathy to Karla's family. From many conversations with Karla over many years, it was clear that her family was most precious to her. The last time I talked with her she beamed about her grandson. Karla was a pleasure to work with - she possessed a get-it-done attitude and was always a reliable team player. She had time to laugh, as her intelligent sense of humor rose above the deadlines the rest of us worried about, and those deadlines were rarely missed. She made work fun. She was one of my invaluable undesignated mentors at NCS when I was a newby. I am honored to have known her, worked with her, and laughed with her. I will miss her both as a colleage and as a friend.

Dear Cory & Caitlin,

I am so sorry for your loss. I really enjoyed meeting your Mom, and wish I'd had the opportunity to get to know her better. I'm sure you have lots of great memories...cherish them always. Please pass on my condolences to your Dad & family.

My daughter, Emma Wright, met Cory at Mark Twain when they went to kindergarten.