Carolyn (Yost) Karas

Carolyn (Yost) Karas, aged 88, of Mt. Pleasant Road, Orangeville, better known as Mamas K, left her earthly confines in the early morning hours of December 30, 2021. Fierce and stubborn to the end, she died peacefully at her home, surrounded by her family.

Carolyn was born in Bloomsburg on August 6, 1933 to John and Marion “Miney” (Unger) Yost and spent a happy childhood at the family home on Mill Street in Orangeville. A graduate of Bloomsburg High School in 1951 and the former Bloomsburg State Teacher’s College in 1955. She taught elementary school in Langhorne, Sugarloaf, and finally at Benton Area School District, retiring after 21 years in 1991.
Carolyn met the love of her life, Vincent Karas of Shenandoah, while working in the mess hall of Camp Lavigne Boy Scout Camp. They would marry and raise three sons in Bloomsburg, Linthicum Heights, Maryland, and Hazleton. Sadly, Vince died on January 6, 1970 and Carolyn then moved to Orangeville where she would live the rest of her life.
Mama K’s favorite activities included camping, with time spent at Whispering Pines, Indian Head and Fishing Creek campgrounds. Other hobbies were classic movies, romance novels, creating plastic canvas crafts, and cooking. Tuesday night dinners, where the latest casserole concoction was served, will never be the same. She was always very proud to have helped make ice cream at the Orangeville Fire Co. carnival for 38 years.
Carolyn was an active member of the Orangeville United Methodist Church, the former Civic Club and was also a Cub Scout Den Mother.
In addition to her parents and husband, Mama K was preceded in death by a son Phillip Karas, a daughter-in-law Janelle Karas and an infant sister Marjorie.
She is survived by two sons: Marshall “Mitch” Karas and his wife Michele, of Orangeville and Tim Karas and his wife Michelle “Shelley” of Bloomsburg; five grandchildren: Logan Karas and his wife Jamie of Sunbury, Klae, wife of Doug Hunter of Benton, Thea Karas of Orangeville, Emily wife of Brian Zysset of Catawissa, and Morgan Karas of Orangeville; and three great-grandchildren: Raye Karas, Rhome Karas, and Corrine Zysset.
A graveside service will be held on Wednesday, January 5, 2022, at 2 p. m. in Laurel Hill Cemetery, Orangeville, with her pastor, Pastor Gail Kitchen, officiating.
In lieu of flowers, donations can be made in her name to the Columbia-Montour Council, Boy Scouts of America, for Camp Lavigne, 5 Audubon Court, Bloomsburg, Pa 17815 or Commonwealth Hospice of Berwick, 1409 N. Market Street, Suite 202, Berwick, PA 18603.
Arrangements have been entrusted to the care of the Dean W. Kriner, Inc., Funeral Home & Cremation Service, 325 Market Street, Bloomsburg.