Karen Benolken

Karen Sue Benolken

Karen Sue Benolken, 76, Nashwauk, died Monday November 5, 2018 in her home after an illness.   She was born in Grand Rapids to Eino and Bertha (Hietala) Aho on August 26, 1942 and married Joe Benolken on December 16, 1977.  She loved getting together with the Pizza Gang, living in the woods north of Nashwauk, enjoying the flowers, feeding the birds and the deer.

Karen is survived by her children Kevin Gilbert, Nashwauk, Penny Worley, Crossville, Tenn., and Jane (Steve) Hallam, Grand Rapids, MN, step children, Frank (Lisa) Benolken and Ronald Benolken both of Temple, Tenn., her sister Margaret “Peggy” Rantala, Proctor, MN, 13 grandchildren, 17 great grandchildren and many nieces and nephews.  In addition to her parents she was preceded in death by her husband Joe in 2009 and brother in law Charles Rantala.

A gathering of family and friends will be held from 1:00 to 3:00 pm. Friday November 9, 2018 in the Dougherty Funeral Home in Hibbing.  Burial will be held at a later date in the Nashwauk Cemetery.