Karen A. Nelson, 76
Karen A. Nelson, 76, of Brandon, died Thursday, April 18, 2024 at St. Mary’s Hospital in Rochester, Minn., with her family by her side. A Mass of Christian Burial will begin at 11 a.m., Wednesday, April 24 at Risen Savior Catholic Church in Brandon. Visitation will be from 5-7 p.m. Tuesday, April 23, with a Liturgical Wake Service at 7 p.m. at the George Boom Funeral Chapel in Brandon. Burial will be in the Brandon Cemetery in Brandon.
Karen was born to Kenneth and Lorraine (Shult) Kavanagh on July 17, 1947 in Benson, Minn., and lived her childhood in Murdock, Minn. She graduated from Murdock High School in 1965 before moving to Minneapolis, Minn., to live with friends and cousins.
Karen met Marlin Nelson while living in Minneapolis, where he wooed her with her favorite banana popsicles. They married on Oct. 19, 1968 in Murdock Sacred Heart Catholic Church. Upon their marriage, they moved to Johnson’s Estate Trailer Park in Sioux Falls, where they lived for four years and had their first child. They moved to Brandon in 1972 where they raised three daughters, Lisa, Sara, and Jennifer. Her girls remember spending their childhood doing ceramics, gardening, canning, sewing, and attending daily Mass with their mom. Karen enjoyed serving in many different roles in the church including Parish Council, Liturgy, Sunday School teacher, Young at Heart Club, and Rosary.
From holiday gatherings with family to Kavanagh Camp-outs and spending time at their lake place, family was Karen’s greatest love. She loved being a grandma to her grandkids and was known for cooking their favorite treats when they came to visit.
Karen is survived by her husband, Marlin; three daughters, Lisa (Keith) Johnson of Hartford, Sara (Todd) Stone of Brandon, and Jennifer (Curt) Vlaminck of Valley Springs; grandchildren, Tyler, Trey, Isabella, Gavin, Brooks and Jase; sister, Linda (Conley) Rozeboom; brothers, Ron (Linda) Kavanagh and Randy (Deanne) Kavanagh.
She was preceded in death by her parents, Kenneth and Lorraine Kavanagh.
For online condolences, visit georgeboom.com.
