Karen Louise Backlund, 61, of Hallock, MN., passed away on Wednesday, February 25, 2014. Karen was born in Crookston, Minnesota on February 21, 1953, to Folke and Helen Backlund of Orleans, Minnesota.
Karen graduated from Hallock High School in 1971. She moved to the Twin Cities, where she attended the University of Minnesota, graduating in 2003 with a BA in Literature and Composition. Karen was employed by numerous departments at the University of Minnesota during this period, ending her career there at the Complete Scholar Program in 2003, when she returned to Hallock. After returning to Hallock, Karen continued her education at Northland College in Thief River Falls, where she graduated and became a Licensed Practical Nurse. Upon graduation she worked for Lutheran Social Services as a home health nurse.
Karen was an active member of the community and county. She was a patron and a supporter of the Hallock Library where she substituted as librarian. She also arranged and sponsored three Workshop Programs dealing with crafts such as book binding and box making. Karen served on the Kittson County Museum Board from 2004 to 2009. In 2007, her nomination of Fredrick McKinley Jones to the Minnesota Historical Society's sesquicentennial "MN 150" exhibit was selected out of nearly 3,000 submissions. Her interest in historical research continued and in 2011 Karen worked on a Kittson County War Veteran Oral History Project for the Kittson County Historical Society. These interviews and final compilation of information are now at the Kittson County Museum. Karen was a life-long member of the Hallock Presbyterian Church and served during the last year as the church secretary.
Karen was a music aficionado as well as a skilled pianist. She taught piano to both children and adults, with skill, patience and humor. She served as an accompanist for the church choir, and she frequently accompanied musicians and vocalists at weddings. She often shared her love of music with friends whom she invited to attend evenings with her at the St. Anthony Park "Music in the Park" series. Karen was a person of many interests ranging from movies to opera or just to ‘a good old hockey game.' Karen was also a gifted writer, who shared her humor and insight with readers of her blog, "Views from a Curious World." Karen wrote a book entitled, "Liljekonvalj," a story about her father leaving his family in Sweden and immigrating to America as a young man. It was published in 2005 by Ephemeral Press. Hers was a writing talent enjoyed and admired by all who knew her.
Karen was preceded in death by her parents, Folke and Helen. She will be sincerely missed by her many friends and relatives who had the pleasure of her company. In a final tribute to Karen let us share a thought she expressed in the ending sentence of her blog entry titled DVD Fest, "Until next time, keep a song in your heart and a groove in your step." She is survived by cousins……
A Memorial Service celebrating Karen's life will be held this spring. Memorials may be sent to the Presbyterian Church in Hallock.
Karen graduated from Hallock High School in 1971. She moved to the Twin Cities, where she attended the University of Minnesota, graduating in 2003 with a BA in Literature and Composition. Karen was employed by numerous departments at the University of Minnesota during this period, ending her career there at the Complete Scholar Program in 2003, when she returned to Hallock. After returning to Hallock, Karen continued her education at Northland College in Thief River Falls, where she graduated and became a Licensed Practical Nurse. Upon graduation she worked for Lutheran Social Services as a home health nurse.
Karen was an active member of the community and county. She was a patron and a supporter of the Hallock Library where she substituted as librarian. She also arranged and sponsored three Workshop Programs dealing with crafts such as book binding and box making. Karen served on the Kittson County Museum Board from 2004 to 2009. In 2007, her nomination of Fredrick McKinley Jones to the Minnesota Historical Society's sesquicentennial "MN 150" exhibit was selected out of nearly 3,000 submissions. Her interest in historical research continued and in 2011 Karen worked on a Kittson County War Veteran Oral History Project for the Kittson County Historical Society. These interviews and final compilation of information are now at the Kittson County Museum. Karen was a life-long member of the Hallock Presbyterian Church and served during the last year as the church secretary.
Karen was a music aficionado as well as a skilled pianist. She taught piano to both children and adults, with skill, patience and humor. She served as an accompanist for the church choir, and she frequently accompanied musicians and vocalists at weddings. She often shared her love of music with friends whom she invited to attend evenings with her at the St. Anthony Park "Music in the Park" series. Karen was a person of many interests ranging from movies to opera or just to ‘a good old hockey game.' Karen was also a gifted writer, who shared her humor and insight with readers of her blog, "Views from a Curious World." Karen wrote a book entitled, "Liljekonvalj," a story about her father leaving his family in Sweden and immigrating to America as a young man. It was published in 2005 by Ephemeral Press. Hers was a writing talent enjoyed and admired by all who knew her.
Karen was preceded in death by her parents, Folke and Helen. She will be sincerely missed by her many friends and relatives who had the pleasure of her company. In a final tribute to Karen let us share a thought she expressed in the ending sentence of her blog entry titled DVD Fest, "Until next time, keep a song in your heart and a groove in your step." She is survived by cousins……
A Memorial Service celebrating Karen's life will be held this spring. Memorials may be sent to the Presbyterian Church in Hallock.
Karen Louise Backlund, 61, of Hallock, MN., passed away on Wednesday, February 25, 2014. Karen was born in Crookston, Minnesota on February 21, 1953, to Folke and Helen Backlund of Orleans, Minnesota.
Karen graduated from Hallock High School in 1971. She moved to the Twin Cities, where she attended the University of Minnesota, graduating in 2003 with a BA in Literature and Composition. Karen was employed by numerous departments at the University of Minnesota during this period, ending her career there at the Complete Scholar Program in 2003, when she returned to Hallock. After returning to Hallock, Karen continued her education at Northland College in Thief River Falls, where she graduated and became a Licensed Practical Nurse. Upon graduation she worked for Lutheran Social Services as a home health nurse.
Karen was an active member of the community and county. She was a patron and a supporter of the Hallock Library where she substituted as librarian. She also arranged and sponsored three Workshop Programs dealing with crafts such as book binding and box making. Karen served on the Kittson County Museum Board from 2004 to 2009. In 2007, her nomination of Fredrick McKinley Jones to the Minnesota Historical Society's sesquicentennial "MN 150" exhibit was selected out of nearly 3,000 submissions. Her interest in historical research continued and in 2011 Karen worked on a Kittson County War Veteran Oral History Project for the Kittson County Historical Society. These interviews and final compilation of information are now at the Kittson County Museum. Karen was a life-long member of the Hallock Presbyterian Church and served during the last year as the church secretary.
Karen was a music aficionado as well as a skilled pianist. She taught piano to both children and adults, with skill, patience and humor. She served as an accompanist for the church choir, and she frequently accompanied musicians and vocalists at weddings. She often shared her love of music with friends whom she invited to attend evenings with her at the St. Anthony Park "Music in the Park" series. Karen was a person of many interests ranging from movies to opera or just to ‘a good old hockey game.' Karen was also a gifted writer, who shared her humor and insight with readers of her blog, "Views from a Curious World." Karen wrote a book entitled, "Liljekonvalj," a story about her father leaving his family in Sweden and immigrating to America as a young man. It was published in 2005 by Ephemeral Press. Hers was a writing talent enjoyed and admired by all who knew her.
Karen was preceded in death by her parents, Folke and Helen. She will be sincerely missed by her many friends and relatives who had the pleasure of her company. In a final tribute to Karen let us share a thought she expressed in the ending sentence of her blog entry titled DVD Fest, "Until next time, keep a song in your heart and a groove in your step." She is survived by cousins……
A Memorial Service celebrating Karen's life will be held this spring. Memorials may be sent to the Presbyterian Church in Hallock.
Karen graduated from Hallock High School in 1971. She moved to the Twin Cities, where she attended the University of Minnesota, graduating in 2003 with a BA in Literature and Composition. Karen was employed by numerous departments at the University of Minnesota during this period, ending her career there at the Complete Scholar Program in 2003, when she returned to Hallock. After returning to Hallock, Karen continued her education at Northland College in Thief River Falls, where she graduated and became a Licensed Practical Nurse. Upon graduation she worked for Lutheran Social Services as a home health nurse.
Karen was an active member of the community and county. She was a patron and a supporter of the Hallock Library where she substituted as librarian. She also arranged and sponsored three Workshop Programs dealing with crafts such as book binding and box making. Karen served on the Kittson County Museum Board from 2004 to 2009. In 2007, her nomination of Fredrick McKinley Jones to the Minnesota Historical Society's sesquicentennial "MN 150" exhibit was selected out of nearly 3,000 submissions. Her interest in historical research continued and in 2011 Karen worked on a Kittson County War Veteran Oral History Project for the Kittson County Historical Society. These interviews and final compilation of information are now at the Kittson County Museum. Karen was a life-long member of the Hallock Presbyterian Church and served during the last year as the church secretary.
Karen was a music aficionado as well as a skilled pianist. She taught piano to both children and adults, with skill, patience and humor. She served as an accompanist for the church choir, and she frequently accompanied musicians and vocalists at weddings. She often shared her love of music with friends whom she invited to attend evenings with her at the St. Anthony Park "Music in the Park" series. Karen was a person of many interests ranging from movies to opera or just to ‘a good old hockey game.' Karen was also a gifted writer, who shared her humor and insight with readers of her blog, "Views from a Curious World." Karen wrote a book entitled, "Liljekonvalj," a story about her father leaving his family in Sweden and immigrating to America as a young man. It was published in 2005 by Ephemeral Press. Hers was a writing talent enjoyed and admired by all who knew her.
Karen was preceded in death by her parents, Folke and Helen. She will be sincerely missed by her many friends and relatives who had the pleasure of her company. In a final tribute to Karen let us share a thought she expressed in the ending sentence of her blog entry titled DVD Fest, "Until next time, keep a song in your heart and a groove in your step." She is survived by cousins……
A Memorial Service celebrating Karen's life will be held this spring. Memorials may be sent to the Presbyterian Church in Hallock.
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Still temporary marker pictured as of October 2, 2015.
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