Karl Arthur Randall

Karl Arthur Randall, age 86, of Baxter, Minnesota, passed away peacefully on February 27, 2026, at Methodist Hospital in St. Louis Park.

Born on February 13, 1940, in Shorewood, Minnesota, to Doris and Neil Randall, Karl was the eldest of eight children. He spent his early years on the family farm, playing football and baseball with his siblings and friends, and helping with chores such as cutting and hauling hay. At seventeen, a car accident took his eyesight. Undeterred, he continued his education at the School for the Blind, where he gained valuable life skills, including cooking. Karl maintained a lifelong love for cars, baseball, and especially the Minnesota Twins and Vikings, often sharing detailed knowledge of players and statistics.

His passion for fishing began in childhood during visits to Manitou with his cousins. He cherished trips to the family cabin, took great pride in his tackle box and fishing pole, and was delighted to buy his great-grandson Isaac his first fishing pole. For many years, Karl traveled throughout the Midwest as a motivational public speaker, addressing students on the topics of drugs, alcohol, and mental health. His heartfelt, humorous, and honest 90-minute talks left lasting impressions on his audiences.

Karl was an active member of the Lions Club and the Oddfellows, finding joy in community involvement. He lived independently with remarkable resourcefulness, using voice-command technology on his computer and cellphone, and relied on the support of State Services for the Blind. He had an extraordinary ability to recognize people by their voices and navigate familiar roads and landmarks with ease.

Karl was preceded in death by his parents, Neil and Doris; brothers Charles and Richard; sister Janice Lund; and special friend Karen Schmid. He is survived by his children, Cathy Uzzell (Timothy), Tammy Randall, and Sean Randall (Rebecca); grandchildren Matthew Randall, Cassandra Tompt, Elizabeth Beckman, Brandon Beckman, Kayla Nutzmann, and Joseph Clark; great-grandchildren Isaac, Leo, Thomas, Kenneth, and Ezra; sister Shirley Kottke; brothers Dave (Sue), Dan (Chris), and Tom (Barb); and many nieces, nephews, and great-nieces and nephews.