June 16, 1941 – December 18, 2025

Marja Kaarina Ojala Isaacson peacefully passed away in North Ogden, UT on December 18, 2025. She was born in Hollola, Hamc, Finland to Aarne and Lempi Jukka Ojala on June 16, 1941 during the time when Russia had invaded her homeland. The war greatly disrupted her childhood as her family lost their lands and homes and had to resettle in other parts of Finland. She spent her first seven years with her grandparents, Matti and Anna Maria Jukka, on their family farm. Mom always shared how happy she was on the farm despite their difficult circumstances. Eventually, she was reunited with her parents and two brothers, Heikki and Matti in Laapenranta, Finland. Although Mom loved living in the new, big house that her parents built, she struggled getting reacquainted with her family that were strangers to her. Eventually, they became close, so much so, that as adults, Mom and her siblings ended up living in 3 different countries, but continually stayed close through communication and visits.

When Kaarina was 14, she and her family joined the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints. She cherished her church and was faithful all her life. She had a profound love for Jesus Christ and tried to follow His teachings. She always talked fondly of the missionaries who taught her family, Elder James Parker and Elder Richard Bunker. They, and their families, were true heroes to her.

After formal schooling, Kaarina worked at a nursing home in Stockholm, Sweden where she gave compassionate care to the elderly and disabled patients. She always remembered how lonely one could be under those circumstances and so actively visited the sick and the lonely people she knew throughout her life. She was mindful of those in need and spent much time making small gifts to take when visiting with them. It was her way to let others know that she was thinking of them.

Kaarina served a mission in the Northern England Mission where she was able to practice her learned English on a full-time basis. She loved being a missionary and had many wonderful experiences in northeastern England. She had one companion, Noreen Olpin Randall, whose family invited her to Ogden, Utah after her mission. Kaarina accepted their sponsorship and immigrated to the United States. She was always thankful for Lawrence and Cynthia Olpin and family for opening their home and making her feel like she was a member of their family.

It was in Ogden, UT where she met the love of her life, Jerry H. Isaacson, who also happened to be fluent in Finnish. She married Jerry on August 5, 1966 in the Logan LDS Temple and together they enjoyed 58 years. When she married Jerry, she inherited a large, loving family and always enjoyed participating in the Isaacson family events.

Kaarina and Jerry built a wonderful life together having five children: Michael, Monica, Anneli, David, and Katrina. She and Jerry built a house and garden, a business, and were always active in their ward. She loved her life living in West Kaysville, UT. In her sunset years, Kaarina and Jerry moved to North Ogden, UT. Both locations brought them many lifelong friends.

Kaarina enjoyed staying home with her children where she cooked yummy food, baked delicious treats and decorated her house for each season and holiday. She taught her kids how to work. She stretched the family budget by regularly making bread, growing and preserving vegetables, sewing clothes and clipping coupons at the grocery store. Vacations were camping and boating trips even though she never really liked “roughing” it. When her children were older, she worked for the Davis County School District’s PARC where she coached job skills to people wanting to join the work force. She was good at her job and made it her mission to make a difference. She was very appreciative of her bosses, Bob Daniels and Ken Naegle, for giving her this opportunity.

After her employment, she and Jerry served in the Washington Kennewick Mission where she served in the mission office under the leadership of her dear friends, Paul and Elizabeth Belnap. Kaarina, known as the “money honey” while serving, loved her mission and spoke fondly of the young missionaries she got to know.

Kaarina enjoyed being a grandmother and decorated her Christmas tree every year with their pictures. She enjoyed attending her grandchildren’s baptisms, games, mission farewells, weddings and graduations. Mom was always planning fun activities and outings for them. All of her grandchildren came to appreciate her Finnish heritage and enjoyed the yearly Finnish Christmas Eve dinner and traditions.

Kaarina spent the last decade of her life taking care of her beloved Jerry as he dealt with illness. Her care and devotion to him allowed him to stay at home until he died last May. She cared for Jerry while experiencing illness herself. Caring for individuals who had health challenges was a unique and wonderful talent Kaarina possessed. Her children were thankful for the loving care she gave their dad.

Kaarina was preceded in death by her parents, Aarne and Lempi, her husband Jerry, brother Heikki, niece Maria Liisa, and brother in-law Allen. She is survived by her children Michael (Shira), Monica (Derrick), Anneli, David (Ginger), and Katrina (Joshua). She is survived by 13 grandchildren. Kaarina is also survived by her brother Matti (Ritva), Sister in-law Janet and six nephews and nieces. She is also survived by Jerry’s brothers and sisters: Judy, Janet (Richard), Ron (Kimberly), and Jeff (Jana) and numerous nephew and nieces.

A viewing will be held on Monday, December 22, 2025 from 11:30-12:30 p.m. followed by Kaarina’s funeral service at 1 p.m. at Myers Mortuary, 845 Washington Blvd., Ogden, Utah.

The services will be live streamed; to watch go to his obituary page and scroll down to just below the pine trees to find the link. Services have been entrusted to Myers Mortuary.

We invite you to share your memories of Kaarina and upload photos to her memorial page at www.myers-mortuary.com allowing us all to remember the loving woman that Kaarina was.

Services entrusted to Myers Mortuary in Ogden.