Karen Van Beek

Karen Kay Van Beek was born on November 1, 1944 in Pipestone, Minnesota to Deloit and Mae Van Beek. She was raised on the family farm near Holland, Minnesota and attended elementary school in Holland. In 1957, she began attending school in Pipestone. After her graduation from Pipestone High School in 1964, she helped on the family farm. She also babysat for several area families. In October, 2003, she moved to Pipestone.  In September of 2023, she entered the Good Samaritan Communities of Pipestone under hospice care and passed away on Wednesday, December 6, 2023 at the age of 79.

Karen was a member of St. James Lutheran Church in Holland where she was baptized. After her confirmation in 1958, she taught Sunday School for 38 years. She also helped with the Vacation Bible School. She was very active in the Ladies Aid and served as secretary-treasurer of her circle for many years. She enjoyed traveling and traveled to most of the United States. She also enjoyed reading, sewing, gardening, and caring for her flowers. She especially enjoyed doing crafts of all kinds.

She is lovingly remembered by her brother, Dale Van Beek (Gwyn) of Fair Oaks, California; her sister, Myra Palmer (David) of Worthington, Minnesota; her niece, Addie King (Darren) of Brewster, Minnesota; great-nephew and niece, Trevor and Sophie King of Brewster, Minnesota. She was preceded in death by her father and mother; sister-in-law, Penny Van Beek; and numerous aunts and uncles.

In lieu of flowers, memorials can be sent to St. James Lutheran Church quilters or the Pipestone County Emergency Management & Ambulance Service.

Blessed be the memory of Karen Van Beek!