It is with great sadness that we announce the Line of Duty Death of Amboy FD Firefighter Andrew Thomas Karels, age 35, of Amboy, MN, on June 2, 2025. The world became brighter that day. Keeping his mom on her toes through childhood, Andrew enjoyed wrestling, fishing, hunting deer, ducks, turkey and geese, summers at the cabin with his cousins, playing softball, and learning about history. Andrew sparked love for our country during a childhood civil war camp and later fulfilled his dream of serving our country even before his high school graduation from Janesville-Waldorf-Pemberton in 2008.

Andrew served in the Army National Guard from 2007-2014, earning the rank of Sergeant. After his tour in Kuwait, Andrew came home to marry his childhood love, Morgan. They were united in marriage on July 26, 2014. They settled into their community and soon, the greatest joys of their lives came with the birth of their children, Corbin Andrew and Evie June. Daily, Andrew would be found boasting about their latest achievements, wrestling in the living room, telling Corbin’s jokes of the day over the tractor radio, and leading by example showing Evie just how she should be loved. Andrew’s steady pride was unwavering during coaching wrestling tournaments, swimming lessons, baseball and softball, and our everyday life as he came home each day declaring in song as he walked in the door, “I Love YOU!”

Andrew worked in construction until he found his true passion on the farm with his best friends. He often said he was paid to work a hobby. This led for more time to be dedicated to serving his community as Medical Officer for the Amboy Fire Department, where he received the lifesaver award, hosting training events for South Central Minnesota EMS, and serving the Lord as treasurer for St. Paul’s Lutheran. Andrew, a man of God, serving not only his country, but his entire community, an avid outdoors man, a devoted husband, father, and friend went home to Jesus on June 2, 2025, and heard the words, “Well done, good and faithful servant.”

Left to love him forever is his wife, Morgan and children, Corbin Andrew and Evie June; parents, Gina and Ron Meyer; in-laws, Ken and Lynne Lentz; sister, Elizabeth; sister-in-law, Abby (Logan) Lentz-Krengel; grandmothers, Judy Jobe and Linda Meyer; niece and nephews, Matthew, Alexis, Caleb, and Peyton; best friends, Manuel, Lucas, and Brandon; many aunts, uncles, cousins, extended family, and friends.

Andrew was greeted in heaven by his grandmother, Mary Karels; grandparents, Maurice and Eileen Riley; uncle, William “Billy” Karels; grandfathers, Edwin Jobe and Arthur Meyer.