Karen Lillian Aho

Karen Lillian Aho, 69, of New Ipswich, N.H. passed away early Thursday morning, May 15, 2014 after a nine month illness due to glioblastoma brain cancer. Karen was born to the late Walter and InaMae Somero, June 12, 1944, in Southfield, MI. She graduated from Southfield High School in 1962, was employed as a secretary for Redford Community Hospital. She married Walter Aho on April 25, 1964. They lived together in Ashby, MA, for three years before relocating to New Ipswich, NH. Karen is survived by her husband of 50 years, Walter Robert Aho. She loved her children and leaves Jody Ojala (and Robert) of New Ipswich, NH, Seth Aho (and Marlene) of Brush Prairie, WA, Molly Karlsen (and Scott) of Battleground, WA, Connie Christopher (and Roger) of Amboy, WA, Gabriel Aho (and Dorothy) of Jaffrey, NH, Clara Aho of New Ipswich, NH, Isaac Aho (and Deby) of Cape Town, South Africa, Jed Aho (and Melodie) of Greer, SC, Dan Aho (and Amber) of Greer, SC, Emanuel Aho (and Melanie) of Battleground, WA, Tasha Johnson (and Travis) of Hammond, OR, Tandy Seppala (and Ronnie) of Managua, Nicaragua and Lisbeth Aho of New Ipswich, NH. She was preceded in death by a stillborn son, Samuel and a daughter, Jill. She had fifty-one grandchildren, two great-grandchildren. Karen is also survived by brothers David Somero (and Barbara) of New Ipswich, NH, James Somero (and Tikey) of Ashburnham, MA, Paul Somero (and Jayne) of New Ipswich, N.H, sisters, Barbara Maunu (and Jim) of Vancouver, WA, Elizabeth Wirkkala (and Orval) of Cokato, Minnesota, many nieces, nephews, cousins and friends. Karen enjoyed finding beauty in people and nature. She loved watercolor painting and photography, baking bread and making meals, shopping and giving gifts, singing and music. She spent time caring for children, visiting the elderly, walking with friends and tending her flower gardens. She touched many lives with her gentle spirit and will be missed by many. Family and friends are invited to calling hours on Thursday, May 22, 2014, from 5:30 to 8:00 pm in the Ashburnham Apostolic Lutheran Church, 315 Winchendon Rd. (Rte. 12) Ashburnham, MA 01430 Funeral services will be held on Friday at 11:00 AM in the Ashburnham Apostolic Lutheran Church. Pastor Colin Kinnunen will officiate. Burial will be in Smithville Cemetery in New Ipswich. (Please enter 37 Binney Hill Road, New Ipswich, NH 03071 for GPS purposes.) In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be made to the Ashburnham Apostolic Lutheran Church, 315 Winchendon Rd., Ashburnham, MA 01430 to help with foreign mission activities and projects. To watch Karen’s funeral service live, click on this link for the Ashburnham Apostolic Lutheran Church 's website: http://www.aalchurchma.org/ Just click on "Live Sermons" tab and then "Watch Live". Karen’s service will also be available to be viewed later in the day, here on her memorial page. http://thetributecenter.com/tributeplayer/default.aspx?webcasteventid=3857#/webcast