Karen R. Hartzell, age 48, of Minneapolis died February 7, 2016 at Fairview University Hospital in Minneapolis. There will be celebration of Karin’s life at 10:30am on Saturday, May 28th at Bryant Lake Regional Park Pavilion, 6800 Rowland Road, Eden Prairie, MN 55344.
Karin Ruth Hartzell was born May 28, 1967 to Richard and Phyllis Hartzell in Benson Minnesota. She grew up in Benson and attended Benson High School. Karin played saxophone in the band, played on the volleyball team, was a cheerleader, played piano, sang in the choir, and life guarded and taught swimming lessons at the Benson pool. Karin also worked in her dad’s print shop doing special projects with her sisters. She graduated in 1985 from Benson High School. Karin attended Concordia College in Moorhead, MN for one year, then she transferred to Mankato State University where she graduated with a bachelor’s degree in business marketing in 1990.
Karin began her professional career at General Mills, which led to further positions in category management at Colgate-Palmolive, Johnson & Johnson, Curry Sales, Coty, World Kitchen & GlaxoSmithKline. She lived in Phoenix for 3 years, but moved back to Minneapolis where she wished there was more warmth and sun, but it was home. Karin had a love of travel and cooking. She wished to merge her experience in business with her love of cooking and enrolled in the Art Institute of Minneapolis to study culinary arts.
Her love of traveling took her many destinations in her profession in places all over the US, as well as personal trips to several countries in the Caribbean Sea and a life long dream trip to visit Italy in 2007. Karin was also an avid reader, loved to garden & cook, liked to cross stitch and enjoyed anywhere with sun, water and sand. Karin loved animals and dog-sat for friends as well fostering dogs. She loved kids and became an “auntie” not only to her own nieces and nephews, but all her friends’ kids as well. She was part of the Big Sister program and her “little sister” Ke’nay was very important to her and they spent lots of time together. Karin was a “giver” to everyone. She was very selfless to her friends and family. There is nothing she wouldn’t do you for you.
Karin died at the University of Minnesota Hospital on February 7, 2016 at the age of 48 years 8 months after an extended illness. She was loved and surrounded in those many months by her family and many friends. Karin is lovingly remembered and missed by her mother Phyllis Hartzell of Benson MN, her sisters Kimberly (& Damon) Edmond of Castle Rock CO and Kristin (& Michael) Murphy of Castle Rock CO, her nieces and nephews: Grace, Anna and Colin Murphy & Jackson and Julia Edmond of Castle Rock CO, her “adopted” sister Rhonda (Loen) Fennell of Benson, MN, and many other family and friends. She was preceded in death by her father, Richard, her grandparents: Harold & Verna Johnson, Lester & Gladys Fields, Earl Hartzell, aunt, Elaine Gillette and uncles, Arvid Johnson and Warren Jamison.
I miss you my sweet sister!
I’m still so sad for the family. I hope as time goes by that the holes left in your hearts decrease in size. When I think of Karin, I remember how Kim and I used to track down her diary and find out what she’s been up to. Kim, I’m sure she’s going to send you a little zap from heaven for that! Karin always liked having fun, and I’m certain she’s enjoying her perfect paradise everyday now.
Karin was a grade ahead of me in school but I still remember her and her bubbling personality. I know she is deeply missed by her family and friends. May you all be comforted knowing she is at peace. And with the passage of time, may your sorrow ease and healing begin. My deepest sympathies to you all.
Diane (Marr) Jaeger
The line that stands out for me is “Karin was a “giver” to everyone.” That is truly how Karin was. She found joy insharing with others, and did so always. She not only gave generously, she laughed generously. What a joy to be with. Miss & love you Karin.