Karen Marie Gades, April 25, 1964-March 22, 2022

Karen Marie Gades was born on April 25, 1964, to Arlie and Evie Gades (Hagerud) at the Appleton, Minnesota Hospital. She passed away on March 22, 2022, at Regions Hospital following a fall in her home in St. Paul Park, Minnesota. 

Karen grew up on the family farm near Holloway, Minnesota. She was the youngest of their four girls. As a child, she loved her many cats and dogs. No animals in the house was the rule, but she managed to sneak them in anyway! She was a jokester who loved gadgets, a crafter who created lots of cool stuff, which she shared with many, a car lover, and an awesome baker. Her rolled out sugar cookies are the best!

She worked 30+ years in nutrition management in many and varied places throughout the Midwest. She enjoyed working in nursing homes the most, and had a wonderful rapport with the residents. She was an independent woman with a big heart.

She is preceded in death by her parents, two nephews, a  brother-in-law, and a step sister. She is survived by her sisters Kay Seliga, Kris (Steve) Hallis, and Clair Gades; nephew Jason Goulet; niece Kara Goulet; niece Erin (Austin) Jukua; special friend Gary Wodarz; Aunt & Uncle Zelda and Carl Zahn; great nieces; very special cousins;

Stepmother Mae Gades, step siblings Chuck Jobgen, Charlotte (Jim) Sayre, Ron Giese, Denny (Amy) Jobgen, Marilyn (Don) Larsen, Julie (Dewey) Palm, and Mike (Brenda) Jobgen.

Words cannot express how much we will miss her. She was much loved here on earth, and she was sure she would be much loved going forward. Rest in peace and pain free, Karen.