Karen Lynn Wirkkala, 64 years old of Saginaw, died Wednesday, November 27, 2024, in the Carrolton Hospital after an illness. 
 
She is survived by her brother, Duane Tracy and his wife, Dorothy of Sterling, MA; her sister, Myra Walker and her husband, Randy of Lancaster, MA; with extended family in MA, Canada, Arizona, Maine, and her many friends in Texas. Most importantly Karen is survived by her companion, friend and close "sister" in the family of many decades, Josie Myra Gould. 
 

Karen was born in Leominster, MA on August 18, 1960, daughter of the late William and Lena Wirkkala. Since a young child Karen loved to sing and was an accomplished musician on many instruments from the Trumpet to her 12 String guitar, and her keyboard.
 
She attended Eastern Nazarene College in Quincy, MA on a music scholarship, later transferring to the Berklee School of Music in Boston, MA. She traveled to New Brunswick, Canada after college where she began singing more professionally with the Gospelaires and on their recording, "BEULAH LAND." Her second recording in Canada, was called "THE PAINTER," with her beautiful singing voice on eleven songs, many she had written since a teenager and as an adult.
 
For many decades after a move to Texas, Karen worked for several Christian Ministries, and now for many years working for Kenneth and Gloria Copeland Ministries as a proofreader for the monthly Victory Magazine.
 
Forest Ridge Funeral Home in North Richland Hills is in charge of arrangements.
 
A Celebration of Life for Karen will be held at a later date. 
 

 "If tomorrow starts without me,
      And I'm not there to see,
      If the sun should rise and find your eyes all filled with tears for me;
      I wish so much you wouldn't cry the way you did today,
     While thinking of the many things, We didn't get to say.
      I know how much you love me,
     As much as I love you, 
     And each time that you think of me, 
     I know I'll miss you too;
    But when tomorrow starts without me,
    Please try to understand,
    That an angel came and called my name,
    And took me by the hand,
    And said my place was ready,
    In heaven far above."  Author Unknown