Lillian Karnik

Lillian Karnik, age 94, previously of Spillville, Iowa, passed away Thursday, March 5, 2026, at Humboldt Memorial, in Humboldt, Iowa.

Mass of Christian burial will be held at 11:00 a.m., on Wednesday, March 11, 2026, at St. Wenceslaus Catholic Church, 207 Church St., Spillville, Iowa, with Father Huber presiding. Burial will follow in the church cemetery.

Visitation will be held from 9:30 a.m. until the time of the service at the church on Wednesday. Rosary will begin at 9:00 a.m.

Lillian Karnik was born to John and Lillian Stepan (Pecinovsky). She attended Jackson #1 Country School through the ninth grade.

She worked for many years in the community, driving school bus for 31 years. She also worked at the Spillville Inwood Ballroom and the Oneota Country Club in Decorah.

She was a member of St. Wenceslaus Catholic Church and the Ladies Auxiliary. In her free time, she enjoyed motorcycling, playing cards, gardening, and range photography.

She is survived by her four children: Frankie Paul (Mary) Karnik of Fort Atkinson, Larry Michael (Erin) Karnik of Cedar Rapids, Jimmy Charles (Beth) Karnik of Spillville, and Betty (Gary) Dornath of Bradgate. Five grandchildren: Ivy Karnik, Bridget Karnik, Brian Karnik, Melissa Dornath, and Andrew Dornath; and great-grandchildren: Tony, Silvia, Brian, Kieran, Tegan, Evee, and Mason.

She was preceded in death by her parents, John and Lillian Stepan. Her brothers and sister: Agnes McGee, T.J. Stepan, Edward Stepan, and Wenceslaus Stepan.

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