Karola Jenkins-Cornelius of Oak Harbor, passed away on February 22, 2024. She was born on July 20, 1950, in St. Louis, Mo. She grew up in St Louis, Mo and Granite City, Il. She graduated from Granite City High School and Southern Illinois University, Edwardsville.
She retired in 2011 from the Department of Treasury after a 37 year career in Los Angeles, Ca. Her last ten years she conducted property appraisals.
Throughout her life Karola enjoyed drawing, painting, ceramics, and working with stained glass. She loved her horses and her family of animals including her dog, cockatoo, cats, goats, chickens, and geese. Karola attended Oak Harbor Lutheran Church and had been involved in Oak Harbor for several years with the organization Serving People in Need. Passionate Mah Jongg player with a group of friends in the community. She enjoyed getting together with friends and family to play croquet and games. Earlier in life she had been an avid runner and hiker. She hiked both the North and South rims of the Grand Canyon down to the Colorado River. She also hiked to the highest peak in the contiguous United States, Mt Whitney. She appreciated living in Oak Harbor, NAS Whidbey, the parades, festivals, and those who fly the American flag.
She is preceded in death by her father Andrew Jenkins who passed away in 1995 and her mother Virginia Jenkins who passed away in 2023. Both of her parents resided in Granite City, Il.
She is survived by her spouse of 33 years Glenn Cornelius, sister Kathi Grant of Granite City, IL, and nephew Tim Grant and his wife Vicki and children Connor and Sydney and nephew Joe Grant and spouse Casey residing in Illinois. Her in-laws residing in Washington State Pat and Judy Cornelius, Bill and Jill Brickman, William, Cass, Porter, and Charlotte Brickman, Amanda Brickman and Darin Johnson, Wade, Melanie, and Wolfgang Brickman.
The family would like to thank Whidbey Medical, North Sound Physical Therapy, Island Hospital, Hospice of the Northwest, Neptune Society, and Pastor Jeff Spencer along with members of Oak Harbor Lutheran Church as well as other friends for the care and compassion they showed ourloved one in her final days.
