Karna Hollatz

Karna A. Hollatz, 92, of Geneseo died on Saturday, April 24, 2021 at Hammond-Henry Hospital Long Term Care, Geneseo.  Funeral services will be 10:00 a.m. on Friday, April 30th at St. John’s Lutheran Church, rural Geneseo.  Rev. Timothy Nerud will officiate.  Interment will be at National Cemetery, Rock Island Arsenal.  Visitation will be from 9:00 a.m.to services on Friday at the church.  In lieu of flowers memorials to Christian Care Center, Rock Island.

Karna Klockau was born June 3, 1928 in Rock Island, IL, the daughter of Arthur W. and Mildred (Wessel) Klockau.  She graduated Rock Island High School in 1946.  On Dec. 27, 1949 she married Vernon Hollatz in Rock Island.  He died on Dec. 23 2012.  The couple had farmed together for 30 years west of Geneseo and Karna had worked for Deere and Company for 20 years retiring in 1984.

Karna was a member of St. John’s Lutheran Church where she was Choir Director for 25 years; member of the Ladies Aid and the Lutheran Women’s Missionary League, Geneseo Music Club, Geneseo Women’s Connection, and the John Deere Women Retirees.  Karna served for 20 years as a board member of the Christian Care Center, Rock Island.  She enjoyed antique collecting and began at a very early age singing at weddings and funerals.

Survivors include her brother, Rev. Keith Klockau; sister, Harriette Burns; several nieces and nephews and special friend Marcia Neumann Elder.  Karna was godmother to Roberta Klockau, Kathy Wessel, Carmen Rasmussen Sette, Libby Klockau, Jeanne DeFauw Mirocha, and Kevin Burns, and honorary godmother to Anna Schmedt Streeter.  She was preceded in death by her parents, husband, brother and sister-in-law, Richard and Gretchen Hansen; brothers-in-law, Wilbur Hollatz, Elmer Hollatz, and Wes Burns; sister-in-law Charlotte Klockau and a nephew.