Karen Engelsgaard

Karen Engelsgaard, age 85 of Fosston, MN passed away on Thursday, September 3rd at Essentia Health First Care Living Center in Fosston. Funeral services will be held on Wednesday, September 9th at 2:00 PM at Kingo Lutheran Church in Fosston with Rev. Dan Cole officiating. Visitation will be on Tuesday, September 8th from 5:00 to 7:00 PM with a prayer service at 7:00 PM at the Carlin-Hoialmen Funeral Home in Fosston, and there will also be reviewal for one hour before the funeral at the church on Wednesday afternoon. Interment will be at Landsverk Cemetery, rural Fosston. The Carlin-Hoialmen Funeral Home of Fosston is in charge of the arrangements. Messages of condolence may be sent to carlinhoialmen.com.Karen Jeanine Welte was born in Detroit, Michigan on May 11, 1930 to Clare and Marie (Comstock) Welte. The family moved to Lengby, Minnesota when she was three years old, and resided there until moving back to Detroit for three years during World War II. Karen attended school in Detroit, Lengby, and graduated from Fosston High School in 1947.She married Ordell Engelsgaard on June 15, 1952 at Fridhem Lutheran Church in Lengby. They made their home in Fosston where they worked, raised their family, and were active in their church and community. Karen was employed at the Sather Clinic for many years and also at the Fosston Chiropractic Clinic until she retired. After retirement, both Karen and Ordell made trips to Norway twice, as well as the Ivory Coast in West Africa, and to a number of places in the U.S. Karen liked to travel but always said she liked her own pillow best.Karen was a member of Kingo Lutheran Church where she served as secretary of the congregation, Sunday School teacher, and choir member. She was also active in a number of community organizations including Meals On Wheels, the American Legion Auxillary, and most recently Prayer Partners.Karen had many great stories about her life, about the harshness of the Depression years, the antics of her beloved brother George and her best friend Frannie, and how her father made the best winter toboggan slide on Lengby hill. Her humble and loving upbringing, and her faith and love in the Lord were foundations that provided her with the tenacity to face the eventual physical challenges she had. She maintained her sense of humor until the end. Her children and her grandchildren were her greatest joy.Karen Engelsgaard passed away on Thursday, September 3, 2015 at First Care Living Center in Fosston at the age of 85 years.Karen is survived by her three children: Joan (Knut) Opsal of Arlington, VA, David (Beth) Engelsgaard of Minneapolis, MN, and Beth (Kevin) Wroolie of Brainerd, MN; seven grandchildren: Siri Opsal of Tromso, Norway, Greta Opsal of Arlington, VA, Ellen Opsal of Moss, Norway, Tim and Michael Engelsgaard of Grand Forks, ND, Brett and Megan Wroolie of Brainerd, MN; sister-in-law Paula Welte of Bemidji, MN; special niece Teri (Zach) Savoie; several other nieces and nephews; god-daughters Barbara Nord Bergquist and Nancy LePier Winkler; and many wonderful friends.She was preceded in death by her husband Ordell; her parents; brother George Welte; and half-brothers Fred and Earl Graessle.