Carla Kowzic's Obituary
Carla Rae Kowzic, 73, of Clinton passed away peacefully at her home on February 10th, 2025. Her adoring sister and daughter ensured that she was surrounded by their love until the moment she beautifully transitioned into Heaven.
Carla was born January 20, 1952 in Clinton, IA to Orville and Rose (Knapp) Rickertsen. Carla was the youngest of three children and had a childhood filled with love, kindness, accountability, and a strong set of family values. Her future work ethic was derived from seeing her parents work hard and take pride in all aspects of their lives. Carla's mother, Rose, was a true example of a loving mother who was filled with wisdom and warmth. Carla was a graduate of Clinton High School and Clinton Community College. On one fateful night at a wild house party in the summer of 1970, Carla met the love of her life, Rick Kowzic. Rick was charismatic and charming, embraced a good time, and it was the summer of love...naturally, they fell instantly. How could he resist a beautiful blonde with stunning blue eyes?! Their early years together were filled with the joys of young love, surrounding themselves with family and friends, and many adventures. They loved to travel together; a tradition they continued until Rick's passing in 2023. Their most elaborate journey arrived in 1983 with the birth of their only child, Rhya Leigh. Carla loved being Rhya's mother with her whole being; it was truly her life's purpose and she was incredible at it. She filled Rhya's life with unconditional love and support every single day. She never missed an opportunity to tell her how much she loved her and how proud she was of her. Carla was always there to help and to make life better for her daughter. As easy as it was to be a mother, it was even easier for her to be a grandmother. She was so proud of her grandchildren; she loved caring for them, being an irreplaceable part of their village, and constantly celebrating and supporting their many achievements. She felt honored to be called theirs.
One of the most important and authentic relationships in her life, that started from the moment she was born was with her sister Gail. Their unwavering bond is a true testament to the love and loyalty of family. They loved doing this thing called life together; continually supporting one another, raising their children together, upholding traditions, painting, decorating, shopping, and embracing their unique bond until the very end. Thank you, Gail for loving her so genuinely for 73 years.
Carla was the epitome of hard work; she found great personal satisfaction and motivation in leaving a space better than she found it. Her work ethic was unmatched and impressive to watch. She was kind and oh so loving, motivated and determined, strong and skilled, stylish and classy, had impeccable taste, an incredible sense of humor, always looked radiant, and made the lives of the ones she cared for monumentally better.
Carla leaves behind many to mourn her loss, but to also carry on her incredible memory. Her brilliant and devoted daughter, Rhya Kowzic (Andrew Castle), her phenomenal grandchildren Tayton Castle, Lilly Hankins, and Isaac Castle, her adoring sister and brother in law Gail and Al Thompson, her wise older brother Leo (Christine) Rickertsen, the best in laws one could hope for Bob and Lynn Kowzic, Ron and Sue Kowzic, and Randy Kowzic, a wild and loving family who were also her neighbors, Amber (her niece) and Derek Determan along with their amazing kids, her always amusing Godson Gabe (Corissa) Thompson, and many other nieces, nephews, family member as well as work and church friends that she cared for dearly.
Memorial Services will be 3:00pm, Saturday, February 15, 2025, at the Clinton Chapel Snell-Zornig Funeral Homes with visitation from 1:00pm to the service time. Online condolences may be expressed by visiting her obituary at www.snellzornig.com. In lieu of flowers memorials can be made to the family for a fund set up for her grandchildren.
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