LAKE PRESTON — Karen M. Carlson, 77, of Lake Preston, passed away Friday, September 11, 2020, at Ava’s House in Sioux Falls.

A public visitation is scheduled for 5 to 7:30 p.m. Tuesday at Osthus Funeral Home in De Smet.
A private family memorial service is scheduled for 10:30 a.m. Wednesday at United Church of Christ in Lake Preston, with Reverend Kris Larson officiating. Burial will follow at Lake Preston Cemetery in Lake Preston.

Karen Marie Wendel was born July 12, 1943, to Lawrence and Violet Wendel at their farm home near Bancroft, with the assistance of her grandmother as midwife. Karen grew up in the Spirit Lake area and attended eight years of country school at Prairie Hill #9. She then attended Bancroft High School, graduating in 1961. Karen then did some babysitting and house cleaning before moving to Huron to work as a waitress and dental assistant.

Karen married Roger Carlson of Badger area in 1968, at the Lutheran Church in Bancroft, where she was an active member and organist.

Karen was active in the UCC Church in Lake Preston after they were married. She held offices in the Women’s Fellowship, helped with Sunday School, Bible School and played for church many years.
Karen also belonged to Progressive Homemakers Extension Club.

In 1997, Karen was diagnosed with a rare liver disease that resulted in a liver transplant in 1998. She had 20 good years and then in 2018 was diagnosed with Myelofibrosis.

Karen volunteered her time for many organizations for the benefit of the community; including the school and 4-H. Karen enjoyed traveling, baking, gardening, and spending time with her family and friends.

Karen is survived by son, Brian (Judy) Carlson of Hetland; and daughter, Tina (Craig) Wilken of Akron Iowa; grandchildren, Caitlin and Hannah Johnson, Jacob and Nick Carlson, and Hailey and Carter Wilken; two great-grandchildren, Hope and Jayce Johnson; three sisters, Eileen Buchanan of De Smet, JoAnn (Dick) Jewell of Sturgis, Carolyn (Allan) Beyer of Harrisburg; brother-in-law, Eldred (Shirley) Carlson of Lake Preston; and sister-in-law, Marilyn Knapp of Minneapolis, Minn.; and many other relatives and friends.

Preceding Karen in death were her husband, Roger; parents, Lawrence and Violet Wendel; father and mother-in-law, Howard and Maxine Carlson; and brother-in-law, Don Buchanan.

Paid Obituary