Karen Leadbetter, 62, Valley City, ND passed away at her home on October 3, 2022.  Visitation will be on Thursday beginning at 5 PM with a prayer service at 6 PM in the Lerud Mathias Funeral Home chapel.  The funeral Mass will be celebrated on Friday, October 7, 2022 at 10:30 AM in St. Catherine’s Catholic Church, Valley City.  Burial will be in Memory Gardens cemetery.  The prayer service and Mass will be live streamed and available to view along with Karen’s obituary on her tribute page at www.lerudmathias.com, where you can also sign her online guestbook.

Karen Leigh Geiger was born December 1, 1959 at Mercy Hospital in Valley City, ND to Leonard and Evelyn (Hagen) Geiger.  She joined brother, Kevin and brought along her twin, Kathy.  She grew up in Valley City and was a member of the VCHS class of 1978.  Karen and Kathy played basketball and were known as the “run and gun Geigers”.  After graduating, Karen attended Valley City State University.

On November 30, 1982, she married Dwayne Leadbetter and together they had a son, Jason.  Dwayne passed away on November 30, 2009.

Karen was a caregiver and CNA for 40 plus years.  She worked at area nursing homes and long term care facilities.

She and Dwayne made every effort to be there to support Jason in all of his sporting events throughout his high school years. They loved going dancing together and enjoyed camping.  Karen was known to sing and play guitar on occasion as well.  She was a member of St. Catherine Catholic Church, Eagles and AmVets Auxiliaries.

Karen is survived by her son, Jason; parents, Leonard and Evelyn Geiger; brother, Kevin; twin sister, Kathy (Rodney) Nelson; nephews, Ryan, Lance, and Jarod Nelson; and many other extended family and friends.

She was preceded in death by her husband, Dwayne and her grandparents.