Karen Holdt, 73 of rural Clitherall died Thursday, March 19, 2015 at the Valley Baptist Medical Center in Harlingen, Texas.
Karen Ann Wallin Holdt was born on November 8, 1941, in Wright's Memorial Hospital in Fergus Falls, Minnesota the daughter of Harry Walter and Esther Sophia (Lind) Wallin.
Karen attended the Battle Lake Public School graduating from the Battle Lake High School in May of 1959. She enjoyed cheerleading, softball and basketball in high school. She graduated from Moorhead State University in 1962, receiving a Bachelor of Science Degree in Health and Physical Education. Karen taught girl's Physical Education in Big Lake and Montevideo, Minnesota and then in Helena, Montana.
Karen married Bruce Holdt on January 29, 1966 in Seattle, Washington. Shortly thereafter, Bruce was commissioned as a US Navy Officer. Karen, Bruce and their children lived and traveled all over the world during Bruce's twenty-five year career in the United States Navy. As a Navy wife, Karen and her family lived in Seattle, WA, Newport, RI, San Diego, CA, Monterey, CA, Naples, Italy, Alexandria, VA, Tacoma, WA, Rome, Italy, Mons, Belgium, Sao Paulo and Rio de Janeiro, Brazil. Karen vacationed in twenty-one countries with her husband during their marriage. Planning for retirement and more traveling, they finally built a home on their lake lot on Clitherall Lake by Clitherall, Minnesota in 1996.
Karen enjoyed gardening, reading, knitting, spending summers at the lake with family, and fishing with her husband. Her passion in life were her grandkids, Erika, Ethan, Jacob and Nate. She was a lifelong Minnesota Vikings fan and seldom missed any games.
She is preceded in death by her grandparents, John A. and Mathilda Wallin of Amor; Charlie and Ann Lind of Bertha; her parents, harry and Esther Wallin of Battle Lake. Karen is survived by her husband, Bruce; sister, Joan Macheledt (Matthew) of White Bear Lake, MN; her children, Marnie Esther Franze (Darrell) of Battle Lake, Theodore Charles Holdt (Sara Mapelli) of Washougal, WA and Melissa Joann Rowe (Lars) of Battle Lake; four grandchildren, Erika Franze, Ethan Franze, Jacob Rowe and Nathan Rowe; and by numerous cousins, nieces and nephews.
Memorial Service: 11:30 am Saturday, March 28th at Zion Lutheran Church of Amor, rural Battle Lake
Visitation: one hour prior to the service
Clergy: Rev. Art Johnson
Cemetery: Trefoldighed Cemetery, rural Battle Lake
Karen's Memorial Folder
Karen's Tribute Video