Carl Henry Kultala

His life took an interesting turn following an auto accident. Who knew that his future wife would end up being the little 16 year old LPN in training at the hospital in Wadina, MN. Lorene became his caregiver, and for the next 65 years, never left his side, caring for and loving him until his last breath.

Carl was a man of many talents and virtues. For years he strapped on a tool belt and eked out a living as a carpenter. His expertise carried over into retirement, assisting others with their “Honey-do” projects and relished every solitary minute of being needed.

Those that knew Carl would agree that his love for Lorene was insatiable. There was a devotion to one another not often witnessed in marriage. They were presented as a couple attending functions together, sang as a duo, worked and served side by side.

It was their servant’s heart that allowed them to open the Perham Cafe for three years, cooking and blessing those in the community. It was their servant’s heart that drove them to minister in song to inmates and the infirmed. It was their servant’s heart that freely opened their front door to accommodate missionaries from around the world (i.e. Germany, Australia, Finland, England, Japan). It was their servant’s heart that gave of their retirement time to join ranks with Craftsmen for Christ, completing TLC projects on rural churches. Hosts took note of their relationship. Being proficient door hangers, they quickly earned the nickname of the ‘a-door-able’ couple. One of their last projects was in Sitka, Alaska. During that time frame, interest in eagles was birthed. Isaiah 40:31 says, “ But those who hope in the Lord will renew their strength. They will soar on wings like eagles. They will run and not grow weary. They will walk and not be faint”. This scripture became Carl’s mantra. Today his “youth is restored like the eagle’s”. (Ps. 103:5b) May he soar before the throne.

Carl is survived by his adoring wife, Lorene, sister, Hilja, daughter and son-in-law, Teresa and Jim Pontious, son and daughter-in-law, Gary and Anne Kultala, son and daughter-in-law, Howard and Emily Kultala, daughter and son-in-law, Karol and Warren Dean, and a HUGE armful of grandchildren and great-grandchildren…..tucking away cherished memories in their hearts of a wonderful, God-fearing man.

Nakemiin (Finnish for “goodbye”)

A graveside service will be on Saturday, January 14, 2012 at 12:00 p.m. at Forest Lawn Cemetery, 400 SW Walters Rd. in Gresham, Oregon.