Karen Ranvieg Amon

Karen Ranveig (Anderson) Amon-Porazzi, originally of Staten Island, NY, was the only daughter of Florence Ranveig (Osmundson) and Arthur Anderson. Born from a Norwegian heritage (Stavanger, Risør, Oslo) and a proud Viking, Karen tirelessly hosted annual family celebrations, ensuring that the traditions her ancestors kept would continue. She made sure every “daughter” (any girl connected to the family) had a solje to wear for holidays, like Christmas, which was her specialty. Every year she and Carlo spent a month of weekends preparing for Christmas Eve, decorating the house inside and out with Julenissen, ordering traditional Norwegian foods such as Nokkelost and Gaffelbiter, and baking Julekake, Krumkake, and Riskrem. She taught every youngster to pray “I Jesu Navn” before every meal and sing “Han Skel Leve” after every birthday song. And because celebrating the past was always a priority, Karen honored every Syttende Mai by hoisting a Norwegian flag outside her home.

Karen was incredibly proud of her extensive knowledge of genealogy, especially her own. She was able to travel to her homeland twice to visit extended family and slept in the house her ancestors were born in. Over years of research, Karen followed her Norwegian genealogy back over a thousand years and created an extensive family tree. She wanted to contribute as much information as she could so that other aspiring genealogists could enjoy the same sense of heritage that she held so dear. She used to say that finding a genealogical link was like solving a mystery—both gave her a thrill.

Karen attended Curtis High School in the 1950s where she began a club called Elegant Eves with her childhood and lifelong friend June Nelson Corgan. While in school, she made many wonderful additional attachments, such as meeting the far-into-the-future, love-of-her-life Carlo Porazzi. After high school, she attended one year of teacher college before she married her first husband, Ramon, with whom she had three children: Randy, Laurel, and Robby. Travel was an important part of their lives, especially the annual family vacation to Squirrel Island, Maine where she played doubles tennis, cooked meals in the Thomas Cottage for anyone and everyone, and watched her kids jump the cliffs on Cunner Point.

Karen was the picture of elegance in her beautiful gowns, but she also loved to have adventures. Whether it was weekends at the racetrack with her best friend Sam or traveling to exotic islands, she invested her time with the people she loved. When life got hard, Karen rose to the challenge and became a single working mom, spending years working for Jacobs Insurance Company while maintaining the family home in Timonium, Maryland. She provided for her family and her aging mother Florence (we called her Mama); at one point four generations of strong Viking Ranveigs resided together with lots of laughter, dancing, and cookies sneaked under the table.

Karen got a second chance at romance when she attended her 20-year reunion and reconnected with Carlo. The two spent the rest of their lives together. They enjoyed the simple pleasures in life: reading, gardening, cooking, and caring for animals of all kinds. Her many pets included Whiskers, Max, Cunner, Bart, Jaime, Skravla, Torvild, and Truls (who still meows to this day). She also loved wild birds, especially hummingbirds, and worked diligently with Carlo to oust the meddlesome squirrels.

Together Karen and Carlo had a blast inventing delicious recipes with fresh produce from their garden. Karen fed everybody—food was her love language. If you were hungry, or needed a place, or were lonely, then you were family and you were an honorary (or ornery) Norwegian. Both always went together, although Carlo did add a lot of zesty Italian flair. Karen celebrated art by creating many lovely counted cross-stich designs and collecting beautiful things such as fine China, Waterford crystal, Norwegian paintings, and beautiful handcrafted Santas. One of her greatest earthly treasures was her dreamhouse-turned-dollhouse that Carlo designed, built, and furnished for her.

In 2017, Karen and Carlo’s world fell apart and then beautifully wove together. Both endured life-threatening health concerns and were miraculously given a second chance to be together. Karen always thanks Dr. Bradley Taylor for saving her and, as she and Carlo recovered, they were able to celebrate their love in a hospital marriage ceremony in 2017. This second chance provided time for them to meet the first of many great-grandchildren and see the legacy of their family continue. They had several years together before Carlo passed away in 2020, and we know that Karen is dancing with him in the kitchens of Heaven, just like they danced and cooked every Christmas here on earth.

Karen is survived by her brother Arthur (Julane, niece Phoebe) Anderson as well as all three of her beloved children: Randall Robert (Marlene), Robert Arthur, and Laurel Ranveig (Tracy Abell); fourteen grandchildren: Julia (Michael Elloff), Cassidy, Erin (Patrick Surlis), Angela Medina, Kelsey (Daniel Franklin), Christopher, Brittany (Eric Powell), Michael, Taylor (Sari), Tymber, Joshua, Lindsay, Matthew, and Izabella; and five great grandchildren: Hope, Layla, Madeline, Elinor, and Marshall.

On Carlo’s side, Karen is survived by his brothers Arturo (Debora) and Alberto as well as Carlo’s four children: Carlo M. Porazzi, Tara Porazzi-Jones, Aimee Porazzi and Kristen Porazzi-Vanderveen, along with six grandchildren and two great grandchildren.

A Visitation will take place at the Lemmon Funeral Home of Dulaney Valley, Inc. 10 W. Padonia Road, Timonium, Maryland on Saturday, July 13, 2024 from 10:30 to 11:30 am at which time a Funeral Service & Time of Sharing will take place. Interment at Dulaney Valley Gardens Cemetery to follow.

In lieu of flowers, please make a donation in Karen’s name to the Sons of Norway.