Karen lived a vibrant life filled with love, kindness, and joy. She touched countless hearts and will be deeply missed. Her spirit will forever inspire all who knew her.
Welcoming her into heaven are her parents, Victor and Frances Ellingson; her daughter, Jennifer Hamende; and many other beloved family members and dear friends.
Karen is dearly missed by her loving husband, Dennis; her son, Jaysen; daughters Janelle (Jeffery Patch) and Jessica (Ryan Marks); and her son‑in‑law, John (Mariah Hunt) Hamende.
Karen "Pookie" was blessed with nine grandchildren: Matthew (Bobbie Joe Slominski), Christopher, Ozzie, Fiona, Ole, Clara, Curtiss (Bobbi Jones), Lexi (Tyler Muchow), and Camille (Andy Conroy). She also had four great‑grandchildren: Jude, Ash, Paxton, and Harlyn.
Karen graduated from Central High School in Grand Forks, ND. Throughout her working years, Karen found many opportunities to use her creative talents. She spent years at Needle Works in Hillsboro, ND, where her creativity flourished. She enjoyed participating in craft shows, where she sold her handmade items. She ran her own business for many years before moving to the Minneapolis area, where she worked at Dayton’s in the cosmetics department.
Karen loved giving back to the communities she lived in. She was active in the homemakers group in Hillsboro, ND, and supported local high school sports teams by crafting team memorabilia, selling items, and donating funds when teams advanced to state competitions. She also volunteered at the Rush City Food Shelf.
Karen was exceptionally creative—she loved crafting, painting, sewing, and gardening. We lost count of the beautiful quilts she made over the years. She shared her love of crafting with all three of her daughters when they were young, and several of her grandchildren continued crafting alongside her as well.
After retiring, Karen continued to embrace her creativity, selling her handmade and repurposed crafts at the Pink Squirrel and at a location in North Dakota.
Karen and Dennis enjoyed hosting holiday gatherings. They spent many weekends baking treats, from cookies to candies, filling their home with warmth and tradition. Karen truly cherished time spent with her children, grandchildren, and friends.
A visitation will be held at Gearhart Anoka Funeral Home, 552 East River Road, Anoka, MN 55303, on April 18, 2026, from 10:00 am to 11:00 am, followed by a memorial service at 11:00 am.
