Karen Joan Olsberg (Anderson), age 78, passed away on Wednesday, January 20, 2021 at Farmstead Memory Care in Moorhead, MN. She was under the care of Hospice of the Red River Valley, and her daughters were by her side. Karen was born in 1942 in Jamestown, ND to Earl and Irene (Horkman) Olsberg. She grew up and lived most of her life in Valley City, ND. Karen attended and was confirmed at Faith Lutheran Church, Valley City and graduated from Valley City High School in 1960. She then attended Valley City State Teacher’s College for one year.
On April 14, 1961, Karen married her high school sweetheart, Lynn Anderson, at the United Methodist Church in Valley City. They remained married for 48 years. When the couple was first married, Karen worked at American National Bank of Valley City, and after that as a bookkeeper for Dakota Auto Supply in Valley City. In the late 1970’s, Karen and Lynn started a small business in their home taking family, wedding, and reunion pictures. Karen helped with photo shoots, processed photos, and managed books. After 10 years in the photography business, they set off over-the-road trucking. They traveled throughout the United States for four years while working for various trucking companies. Upon returning to Valley City, Karen retired to be home and spend more time with family and friends.
In 2016, while struggling with early-onset Alzheimer’s disease, Karen moved into an assisted living apartment at Farmstead Care in Moorhead. As the disease progressed, she transferred to the memory care unit at Farmstead Care where she lived until her death.
Karen was a devoted mother and grandmother who enjoyed making her time with family special. She loved to spoil each of her family’s dogs and considered them part of the family. Every week Karen looked forward to meeting her high school classmates for coffee. She also enjoyed walking, yoga, and gardening.
Karen is survived by her daughters, Deb (Ron) Jensen, Moorhead, MN, and Tamra Anderson, Duluth, MN; grandchildren, Chelse (Mason) Ware, Moorhead, MN, Aaron Jensen, East Grand Forks, MN, Caryn Bruce and Liam Bruce, Duluth, MN; great granddaughter, Ella Ware; sister, Barbara Olsberg, Valley City and brother Steven Olsberg, Rapid City, SD. Karen was preceded in death by her parents and her sister Bonnie Schlaffman formerly of Sequim, WA. Karen was preceded in death by her parents, her sister Bonnie Schlaffman and niece Taryn Schlaffman formerly of Sequim, WA. She was also preceded in death by her former husband, Lynn D. Anderson, Valley City.
A graveside service will be held 10:00 am, Saturday, June 26, 2021 at Woodbine Cemetery, Valley City, ND. The live stream service will be viewable at https://vimeo.com/event/1095364
Memorials may be directed to Alzheimer’s Association MN-ND Regional Chapter, 2631 12th Ave S, Suite A, Fargo, ND 58103, Alz.org or to Hospice of the Red River Valley, 1701 38th St S, Suite 101, Fargo, ND 58103, HRRV.org
Funeral arrangements have been entrusted to the care of Oliver-Nathan Funeral chapel. An online guestbook is available at olivernathanchapel.com