The funeral services will be held at 11 a.m. on Wednesday, August 19, 2020 at Johnson Funeral Service in Thief River Falls, with Rev. Ale Tulu officiating. Interment will follow at Greenwood Cemetery, Thief River Falls.
Visitation took place on Tuesday, August 18, 2020 at Johnson Funeral Service in Thief River Falls. Visitation will also take place one hour prior to the funeral service on Wednesday at the funeral home.
Karen Marie (Svendsgaard) Thygeson was born on January 16, 1946 to Charles and Marie (Wayne) Svendsgaard in Thief River Falls, the third of four children. She was raised on a Holstein dairy farm and participated in community, 4-H, and church activities. Karen was raised and confirmed into the Lutheran faith, remaining active in church activities at Zion Lutheran Church of Thief River Falls.
Karen attended Goodridge Elementary School and then transferred to the Thief River Falls School system, graduating from Lincoln High School in 1964. She attended Northland in Thief River Falls. Karen was employed at Peterson-Biddick Company for 18 years; then employed for USDA-FSA in Thief River Falls, Pipestone, and retired as a District Director in NW Minnesota in 2005.
Karen was married in 1970 to Floyd Fredrickson. To this union, two children were born – her son Brian and daughter, Karla. Floyd passed away in 1997 from cancer. Karen was united in marriage to DuWayn Thygeson in 2002.
Karen was active in the American Legion Auxiliary being Past District President of District 2 and District 9 and served as Department President in 2002. She remained active at the local, District and State Auxiliaries working with and for the Veterans. Karen also remained active in the NARFE (National Active and Retired Federal Employees) and served as State President.
Karen is survived by her loving husband, DuWayn Thygeson of Thief River Falls; son, Brian (Becky) Fredrickson of Thief River Falls; daughter, Karla (Marcus) Fredrickson of the Twin Cities; grandchildren: Dalton Fredrickson, Michaela Fredrickson, Keagan Fredrickson-Noyes, and Ava Fredrickson; step-children: Mark (Roxanne) Thygeson of Wasilla, AK, Mike Thygeson of Thief River Falls, Bryan (Kathy) Thygeson of Dilworth, Bruce (Kelly) Thyegeson of Thief River Falls, Monty (Jan) Thygeson of Thief River Falls, Julie Steenerson of Mekinock, ND and Marlys (Mike) Swendra of Red Lake Falls; several step-grandchildren and step great-grandchildren
Karen is also survived by her brothers, Dale (Teri Armstrong) Svendsgaard of Thief River Falls, and Bill (Aljean) Svendsgaard of St. Louis Park; sister, Kathy (Don) Vatthauer of Red Lake Falls; and several brothers-in-law, sisters-in-law, nieces, nephews, and cousins.
Karen was preceded in death by her parents; husband, Floyd Fredrickson; god-child and niece, Krystal Svendsgaard; sisters-in-law: Jan Svendsgaard and Merlyn Perreault; brothers-in-law: Loren Borsheim, Harold Wilcox, Vern Perreault and Bert Amundson.
