Karen was married and had a family, then suffered a brain aneurysm and was in a coma for about 8 yrs before her death on Tues, 6 Jun 2006, at her home on McDonald Lake near Dent, MN.
[Obituary] Schoeneberger Funeral Home - www.schoenebergerfuneralhome.com
Karen Goettsch died Tuesday, June 6, 2006, at her home on McDonald Lake near Dent, MN.
Beata Karen (Loken) Goettsch was born in Omaha, NE, on September 13, 1941 to Dr. Elmer B. and Beata (Karnath) Loken. She grew up in LeSueur, MN, and graduated from high school there in 1959. She met her future husband while both worked summers for Green Giant and both were students at Mankato State. She was united in marriage to Roger Goettsch in LeSueur on August 4, 1962. They moved to Moorhead, MN, where she completed her education at Moorhead State University, graduating with a BS in Elementary Ed. in 1963. She worked as a substitute teacher in area schools until the birth of their two daughters in 1966 and 1968. She loved being a mother but continued her studies on a part-time basis as she had many interests. She went on to earn certification in LD for which she received an EPDA grant. Later she became certified in Remedial Reading and went on to become a licensed realtor. Later, after her daughters were grown, she went on to earn degrees in electronics and computer programming at Moorhead Technical College.
They lived for a year in Down Ampney, England, in 1969, and for a year in Humberston, England, in 1992. They also lived a year in State College, PA, where she was a Remedial Reading teacher for the Bald Eagle Schools. Karen and Roger began building their lake home in 1978 (later to be featured in New Shelter magazine) on McDonald Lake and spending summers there with family and friends. Being at the lake was a delight in Karen's life. She could not wait for the snow to melt each spring so she could return.
Karen was a member of United Methodist Church of Richville, MN, during the summers, Triumph Lutheran of Moorhead, MN, in the spring and fall and Heritage Baptist in Bella Vista, AR, during the winter. Karen often remarked that she joined the churches, not for the denomination, but for the kind and caring people. She was proved right by the outpouring of love and sympathy as they responded to her health problems. Karen was diagnosed with Parkinson's in January of 1995 but under the wonderful care of Dr. Knutson and the support of the FM Parkinson's group, she was able to try to lead a normal life. We lost the Karen we knew when an aneurysm, four days after her 57th birthday, required surgery. A failed second attempt to correct the first surgery left her a quadriplegic and unable to communicate. She spent nearly three years in nursing homes before her husband, Roger, and long-time friend, Mary Kuhrts, were able to bring her home and care for her.
She is survived by her best friend and husband, Roger, of Moorhead and Dent, MN; daughter, Amy, Ripon, WI; and daughter, Sara, Minneapolis, MN. She leaves three granddaughters in Ripon, Emily, Mandy, and Leah. Her mother-in-law, Leona Lucia, Bentonville, AR; brother, Mike, Seattle, WA; sister-in-law, Beth Loken, Seattle, WA; sister-in-law, Debbie Goettsch, Oregon, WI; three nieces and nephews and her friend and caretaker, Mary Kuhrts. Karen was preceded in death by her father, Elmer (Doc); mother, Beata; and brother-in-law, David Goettsch.
Karen loved being a mom and being a student, the latter led her to becoming a service technician at Sears and a computer programmer with Lincoln Mutual as well as a variety of other jobs. She became an area representative of ASSE after daughter, Sara, became an exchange student in Denmark. Karen was on the advisory committee for electronics at the Technical College as well as serving her churches in a variety of ways. She was a charter member of the Perham Area Cruisers and was looking forward to showing her 1962 Morris Minor Woody Wagon. She was a member of the Morris Minor Registry.
Karen had been looking forward to becoming a doting grandmother, retirement, and more time at the lake. She was among the first generation to own a computer and she loved the possibilities. She loved to travel and to explore new places and meet new people. She will be missed by all who knew her.
A memorial service will be held on Friday, June 23, 2006 at Triumph Lutheran Church, Moorhead, MN. Schoeneberger Funeral Home, Perham, MN, is in charge of the arrangements.