Karen Nelson

Karen M. Nelson, age 74, formerly of Hinckley, Minnesota passed away at home surrounded by her family on April 16, 2017 in Freeport, Minnesota.

A memorial service will be held at 11 a.m. Friday, May 5 at St. Patrick's Catholic Church in Hinckley with lunch following the service.

Visitation will be from 10 to 11 a.m. Friday at the church.

Karen Nelson was born Oct. 20, 1942 in St. Paul to John and Ida Gartner. She graduated from Washburn High. On Dec. 3, 1961 she married Floyd W. Nelson in the hospital chapel at St. John's Hospital in St. Paul. They raised their three children on their family farm in Hinckley. She was a member of St. Patrick's Parish in Hinckley.

She worked many jobs but enjoyed doing Guest Services at Grand Casino Hinckley. Karen enjoyed crossword puzzles, going to the casino, and spending time with family and friends. She will be remembered for her kind, loving, and giving heart.

Karen is survived by her daughters, Beth (Lee) Hickman and Deborah (Mark) Kitchenmaster; son, Floyd (Joanne) Nelson; seven grandchildren, James, Gregory and Richard Hickman, Cassandra, Stephony and Nicole Kitchenmaster, and Nicholas Nelson; six great-grandchildren; brothers, Albert (Pat) Gartner, Michael Gartner and James Gartner; and sisters, Veronica (John) Roy and Victoria (Richard) Padelford.

She was preceded in death by her husband of 40 years, Floyd W. Nelson; parents, John and Ida Gartner; grandson, Lucas Hickman; brothers, John and Anthony Gartner; sisters, Lucille Ruiz, Joan Murphy, Rose McDonough and Kay Wenzel.