Karen M. Walz

Karen Marie Walz (Schiemann), 75, of Elk River, passed away on October 10, 2024 after a long battle with Dementia.

Karen was born on September 6, 1949 to Leander Schiemann and Dolores Weinmann in Melrose, MN. Karen was one of six children, Pat, Ron, Diane, John and Kathy. Karen was number three of the six. After Karen graduated from St. Cloud Tech High School in 1967, she went on to St. Cloud Beauty College, where she became a hairdresser and taught at the Beauty College.

In 1965, Karen met Ronald Walz, across the alley in which they lived. Karen and Ron wed on December 28, 1968 and have two children, Jodi and Tara. After they were married, they lived in a few cities before making Elk River their home. They built their home on 10 acres of land, where they raised their children, several dogs, cats and chickens. It was here that Karen most cherished her gardens of vegetables and fruits and landscaping. Karen enjoyed her time outside, enjoying bonfires and working in her gardens. 

Karen  retired and spent her time working on puzzles, gardening, landscaping, cross stitching many different projects, but her most prideful moment was cross stitching baby quilts for her grandchildren and great-grandchildren(that she didn’t have yet). Karen volunteered with the Elk River Color Guard in which she started, working for the Legion Steak Fry, President of the VFW, and started a support group for the Desert Storm Troops and their families. Karen received the Americanism Award through the VFW. Karen also was a member of the St. Andrew Catholic Church, where she served her time as an usher, distributing communion, and singing in the main choir and the funeral choir. 

Karen was predeceased by her father Leander, her mother Dolores, her sister Pat, her son Jodi, her mother and father in- law Norbert and Ione and many Aunts and Uncles. Karen is survived by her loving and cherished husband Ron,  just shy of 56 years together, her daughter, Tara (Bob), grandchildren Zoey, Wes, Nate, Ryan and Tyler. Karen’s beloved dogs, Coco and Pebbles and granddogs Emme and Rocky.

The wake will be held at Dare’s Funeral Home on October 22, 2024, 4pm-8 pm. Funeral services will be held at St. Andrew Catholic Church on October 23, 2024 at 12:30 pm. There will be a viewing one hour prior to the funeral beginning at 11:30 am. There will be a luncheon right after the service. Karen will be buried at Ft. Snelling on Thursday, October 24, 2024 at 10:30AM. In lieu of flowers, the family requests donations be made to Alzheimers.org, an organization the family feels strongly about to end Alzheimer's disease.

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