Margaret Karol (Weigel) Fitzgerald

M. Karol Fitzgerald, 88, went to her heavenly home on October 30, 2026. Karol was born on October 11, 1938, in Boone, IA, to Leonard & Gladys (Wood) Weigel. After death of her father, Leonard Weigel, Karol (age 2) was raised by her wonderful stepfather, Jesse Jorstad & Gladys Jorstad, along with her three brothers, Roger, Roland and Van.

Karol graduated from McCallsburg High School, McCallsburg, IA, in 1956. She attended college at the University of Northern Iowa and earned her Associate Degree in Education. In June of 1959, in Colo Iowa, Karol married her high school sweetheart, Eugene Fitzgerald. From this marriage came five children, Kim, Perry, Kelly, Chad, and Shawn. Chad passed away as an infant and Perry passed away at age 51. Ten grandchildren and 16 great grandchildren, have all been a great joy and huge part of Karol’s life.

Karol and Gene’s first family home was in Cedar Rapids, Iowa. They moved to Seward, Nebraska, in 1972. Karol was a wonderful homemaker and stayed home to raise her family until the youngest went to school. She then worked twenty years as a pre-K/Kindergarten paraprofessional, in the Seward School District. Karol served many years on the Nebraska State Foster Care Review Board. To be closer to her adult children and grandchildren, Karol and Gene later moved to Wichita, KS.

Karol loved people and had many friends. She met often and played cards or games. She attended social events and church events. Karol was an avid reader, loved to do puzzles, play games on her I-Pad, and attend live shows. She had a green thumb with plants and flowers, like her mother. Karol played sports in high school and continued her love of sports by watching sports on television and especially loved watching her children and grandchildren play sports. Spending time with family and friends was always a priority. She was very generous with her time to help and care for others.

Karol is survived by her husband, Eugene Fitzgerald (Wichita, KS), brothers Roland Weigel (Deloris) (Ames, IA), and Van Jorstad (Tamara) (Colorado Springs, CO); daughters, Kim Walstad (Brint) Garden Plain, KS, Kelly Hartshorn (Rod) Wichita, KS and son, Shawn Fitzgerald (Bethany) Bayfield, CO; Grandchildren, Morgan Klabenes (Mike Ashby), Jordan Klausmeyer (Seth), Hanna Fitzgerald, Kate Fehlhafer (Austin), Riley Hartshorn (Amy), Reed Hartshorn (Fiancé Andrea), Ross Hartshorn (Brianna), Kordy Irene, Logan Fitzgerald (Tazia), and Abigail Fitzgerald; Fifteen great grandchildren; as well as many brother in-laws, sister in-laws, nieces and nephews.

Karol is preceded in death by her parents, Leonard Weigel, Jesse Jorstad, Gladys Jorstad; father-in-law, Patrick Fitzgerald, mother-in-law, Agnes Fitzgerald; sons, Chad Fitzgerald and Perry Fitzgerald; brother, Roger Weigel, sisters-in-laws, Rachel Weigel, Sister Margretha Fitzgerald, Ruth Fitzgerald (Pat), Ruth Fitzgerald (David), Diana Fitzgerald, Becky Fitzgerald; and Brother-in-law Jerry Gogan.

Rosary will be 6:00 pm, Thursday, November 5, 2026, Funeral Mass will be at 10:30 am, Friday, November 6, 2026, both at St. Elizabeth Ann Seton Catholic Church. Funeral Mass will be live streamed and available to view by clicking on the link below:

https://www.youtube.com/live/jGJzfJaK2GQ

Services in care of Downing & Lahey West Mortuary.