Karen Ann Dana

Just when the caterpillar thought the world was over, it became a butterfly. (Chuang Tzu)

Karen Ann Dana, of Fort Collins, Colorado passed away on Thursday, June 5, 2025 at Poudre Valley Hospital in Fort Collins. She was 82 years old. She was a beloved mother, grandmother, sister, aunt, and friend to many.

Karen was born in Austin, Minnesota on November 2, 1942, the daughter of Leonard and Florence (Arett) Torrens. She grew up on a farm between Austin and Albert Lea in Southern Minnesota. She graduated from Austin High School in 1960 and completed Nurse’s Training at Northwestern Hospital in Minneapolis, Minnesota. She received her Bachelor of Science Degree in Nursing from the University of Washington in Seattle, Washington.

On June 14, 1967, Karen married Robert Dana. They met when they were both students at the University of Washington. They lived in Seattle, then moved to Concord and Walnut Creek California, where their two daughters were born. In 1976 they moved to Fort Collins, Colorado.

Karen worked for 34 years as a registered nurse. She loved taking care of patients and getting to know so many people. She worked at the University of Washington Hospital in Seattle for 6 years. In Fort Collins, she worked at Poudre Valley Hospital in Oncology and later in Women’s Care, taking care of women and newborn babies. She retired in 2010 after 28 years at Poudre Valley Hospital.

Karen was outgoing and talkative, she made friends everywhere she went. She was always generous with her time and her talents. As an active member of Shepherd of the Hills Lutheran Church in Fort Collins, she loved to volunteer in many capacities. She enjoyed crocheting, sewing, painting landscapes, and making all sorts of crafts. She loved her pets, particularly her cats. She enjoyed good food and conversation, and playing games, especially Scrabble. She loved to read books about history, biographies, and her favorite cat mysteries. She kept her home spotless and her yard beautiful, and she loved to host friends and family in her home. She was the biggest supporter of her family members, always ready to help, encourage, listen, and lend her wisdom. Nothing gave her more joy than seeing her two grandsons grow up, attending their concerts, graduations, and special events. She was incredibly proud of them.

Karen is survived by her daughter Stephanie Hotaling, her daughter and son-in-law Hilarie and Cliff Roberts, her grandson and granddaughter-in-law Colin and Alicia Roberts, and her grandson Daniel Roberts, her brother and sister-in-law Loren and Jackie Torrens, her niece Jill Rockers and husband Paul, nephew David Krause, and nephew Arlyn Krause and wife Joleen.

Karen was preceded in death by her husband, Robert Dana, her parents Leonard and Florence Torrens, her sister and brother-in-law Betty and Roger Krause, and her nephew Orin Krause.

A memorial service will be held on June 21, 2025 at 10 am at Shepherd of the Hills Lutheran Church, 1200 South Taft Hill Road, Fort Collins, Colorado 80521.

Memorial contributions can be made to The Northern Colorado Humane Society https://www.nocohumane.org/ or The Larimer County Food Bank https://foodbanklarimer.org/.