Individual Details

Wayne Elmo Karlowski

(21 Oct 1907 - 26 Mar 2003)

The Wichita Eagle, Wichita, Kansas, Saturday, March 29, 2003: Karlowski, Rev. Wayne E. 95, retired minister and artist, died Wednesday, March 26, 2003 at his home in Wichita. Visitation at Broadway Mortuary. Service 1:30 p.m. Monday, March 31, at College Hill United Methodist Church. Rev. Karlowski ministered to many United Methodist churches in the area, beginning in 1930, until his retirement in 1976. These included: Lake City, Potwin, Garfield, Hugoton, Liberal, Udall, Epworth and Calvary United Methodis t churches in Wichita, Valley Center and Newton. As a teenager, he took up painting, something he practiced for the rest of his life. He combined his love of Native American culture and the Southwest in his paintings. His appreciation for the divine that life on earth offers, was something he both preached and lived. Rev. Karlowski's curious mind was still active and engaged in asking questions about the meaning of life, death and beauty right up to the end. Raised a Lutheran, he loved music and first heard a beautiul girl singing a soprano solo at a Methodist church. Bonnie Clark was the soloist. She married Rev. Karlowski on his birthday in 1930. The Karlowski's moved from town to town, taking on ever larger congregations, while they raised their adopted son, Gary Alan. In 1969, his beloved wife, Bonnie collapsed in his arms and died. A period of the dark night of the soul began. The minister who had helped so many through their own losses found himself inconsolable. Time passed. The stoic minister learned to lean on friends and church members who had once leaned on him. It was the laughter of Newton widow, Kathleen Moody and her recitation of poetry and her gingerbread, that helped his recovery most. Mrs. Moody became Mrs. Karlowski in 1975 and survives him. They greatly enjoyed their retirement years. Other survivors include grandson, Gary Eugene and wife, Tracy; brother, Richard all of Wichita; stepsons, Robert R. Moody and wife, Madeline of Dodge City, Michael S. Moody of Wichita; stepdaughter, Martha Knudson and husband, Ivan of Newton; great-grandchildren, Aaron, Anthony, David Franklin, Wayne and Faith Marie all of Wichita. Memorial established with College Hill United Methodist Church. Published in the Wichita Eagle from 3/28/2003 - 3/30/2003.

Events

Birth21 Oct 1907Wichita, Sedgwick Co., Kansas
Residence1930Wichita, Sedgwick Co., Kansas
Residence1 Apr 1940Garfield, Pawnee Co., Kansas
Marriage30 Mar 1975Marian "Kathleen" Keyes
Residence1992Wichita, Sedgwick Co., Kansas
Death26 Mar 2003Wichita, Sedgwick Co., Kansas
BurialWichita Park Cemetery, Wichita, Sedgwick Co., Kansas

Families

SpouseMarian "Kathleen" Keyes (1923 - 2015)

Endnotes