Karen Spelhaug

Karen A. Spelhaug, 69, rural Wyndmere, ND, passed away, Friday, April 18, 2014, at Essential Health, Fargo, ND. The Funeral Service will be Tuesday, April 22, 10:30 a.m., at Wyndmere Lutheran Church, Wyndmere, ND, with Rev. Harvey Henderson officiating. There will be visitation one hour before the service at the church on Tuesday. Visitation will be Monday at Wyndmere Lutheran Church from 5 PM to 8 PM with a 7 PM Prayer Service at the church. Interment will be at Viking Lutheran Cemetery, rural Walcott, ND. Arrangements have been entrusted with Vertin-Munson FH, Wahpeton.

Karen Ann Johnson Spelhaug was born August 9, 1944, the daughter of Darwin A. and Roma H. (McLeod) Johnson, at Breckenridge, MN. Karen attended grade school at Antelope Consolidated School and graduated from Wyndmere High School in 1962. She attended St. Luke's School of Nursing, graduating in 1965. On August 1, 1964 Karen married Ronald James Spelhaug at Antelope Methodist Church, rural Barney, ND. The couple moved to Wyndmere in 1965 and Karen worked at St. Luke's in Fargo, and St. Francis in Breckenridge, MN. The couple had two daughters, Kimberly and Kami; after Kami completed high school, Karen went back to her nursing profession at Meritcare in Fargo until retiring in 2008. She was the church organist for Grace Lutheran Church, rural Wyndmere, and was a member of the church council for 10 years. She enjoyed the lakes, camping and taking trips with her family.

Karen was currently a member of Wyndmere Lutheran Church. She loved attending the many activities of her grandchildren and especially looked forward to Christmas time. Her pastime was reading and playing on her iPad.

Karen is survived by her husband of almost 50 years, Ronald Spelhaug, rural Wyndmere, her two daughters: Kimberly Ann (Kelly) Hagel, Argusville, ND; and Kami Jo (Charles) Strege, Wyndmere, ND; three grandchildren, Cody, Megan, and Parker Strege; her brother, Daryl Johnson and his wife Kathleen Johnson, and nephews, Brett (Michelle) Johnson, Cindy (Brian) Becker, Ryan (Missy) Johnson and her mother-in-law, Ethel Olerud Spelhaug.

She was preceded in death by her parents, Darwin and Roma Johnson, and her father-in-law, Manfred Spelhaug.