Thief River Falls – Karen Langseth, 67, of Thief River Falls passed away peacefully and suddenly on Saturday, September 14, 2024 at her residence.
Karen Marie Nelson was born October 18, 1956 in Minneapolis the daughter of Kenneth and Geraldine (Crisman) Nelson. She was baptized at the Basilica of St. Mary in Minneapolis and confirmed at Redeemer Lutheran Church in Fridley. Karen attended school in Coon Rapids and after the family moved to Highlanding in April of 1974. She finished her schooling at Goodridge High School.
Later in 1974, Karen met Virgil Langseth. The couple eventually were married and to this union 3 children were born, Jason, Amy and Joey. The family lived in several communities in Minnesota and North Dakota, eventually settling in McIntosh. Karen and Virgil were divorced in 1986. Karen moved to Minneapolis to take care of her grandmother, Lavina. It was at this time, while working at a bar as a cook, she met Thomas Rocheford. Together they enjoyed several years together, including working at Rollerblade. They were blessed with a daughter, Melissa “Itty Bitty” in 1991.
In 2002, Karen purchased a house in Grygla where she worked at Machinewell. Karen eventually went back to her love of cooking for Taher at Northland Community & Technical College and later as a head PM Cook at Sanford Hospital in Thief River Falls.
Karen moved to the family farm near Highlanding to help with her parents and in 2017, Karen settled in Thief River Falls. Karen was currently employed at DigiKey as a Packager; she loved her co-workers.
Karen enjoyed cooking, eating sweets, watching & feeding the birds, yardwork, puzzles, cross stitch, garage sales, fishing, building Legos, traveling, “hotel life”, slot machines, bike rides, talking on the phone, going for rides in her pickup truck, anything pink, flower gardening, collecting and selling on Facebook, shopping, crafting/projects, finding things for her son, Jason to fix, and especially loved spending time with her kids and grandkids. Karen was one of a kind and had a heart of gold. She was there for everybody and was always willing to help when and where needed.
Karen was blessed with companions in her life including, Mel Leslie, Jim Disse and Jerome Catlin who have all preceded her in death.
Survivors include her children, Jason (Jessica) Langseth, Amy Langseth, Melissa (Josh) Altepeter; grandchildren, Sydney, Tessa Joe, Katherine (Chaz), Arianna, Austin, Madden; great-granddaughter, Charlotte all of Thief River Falls; sister, Brenda (Scott) Molstad of Thief River Falls; brother, Brian Nelson of Newfolden; and many nieces, nephews, relatives and friends.
She is preceded in death by her son, Joey; parents, Ken & Geraldine Nelson; brother, Randolph “Randy” Nelson; and her grandparents, Lavina & Bernard Crisman, Clarence & Mae Nelson, and Myrtle Drager.
The service to celebrate Karen’s life will be held at 11 AM on Thursday, September 26, 2024 at Johnson Funeral Service in Thief River Falls, with Pastor Jeff Flynn officiating.
Visitation will be held from 5-7 PM with a 6:30 PM Prayer Service on Wednesday, September 25, 2024 the evening prior. Burial will be at a later date at Telemarken Cemetery rural Goodridge.
Condolences may be sent at www.johnsonfuneralservice.com
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