Karen Austin

Karen Austin, 68, of Mandan, formerly of Cottage Grove, Minn. and Mesa, Ariz., passed peacefully into eternal life January 9th.

Funeral services to be held at 2:30 p.m., on Saturday, January 16, 2021 at DaWise-Perry Funeral Services. Burial to be held the following Saturday, January 23, 2021, at Oakland Cemetery in Sauk Centre, Minn.

Karen was born to Karl and Phyllis Ribelin (Greeley), February 4, 1952, in St. Paul, Minn. She graduated from North High School in 1970. She worked as a waitress, factory worker, and later accomplished a life-long goal by earning her college diploma from Dakota County Technical College in 1994.

Karen was united in marriage to the late Kilmer (Kim) Austin on August 22, 1981. They made their home in Cottage Grove, Minn. for over twenty years before retiring to live full-time in their RV, where they crisscrossed the United States to spend time with family and friends.

A quiet soul, Karen was known for her sweet and kind disposition; her personality perfectly balanced that of her beloved husband. Having contracted Multiple Sclerosis in her late twenties, she demonstrated courage and grace throughout her everchanging medical prognosis. She loved crafting; time with her children, grandchildren, fur babies, and husband; Elvis Presley music; and the color purple. Strong in her faith, she always made time to visit about the Lord, even if it was with a stranger coming door-to-door.

Karen is survived by daughters Cherry (Scott) Schesel, Hugo, Minn., Karrie (Eli) Huber, Bismarck, N.D.; sons Robert (Jill) Austin, Anoka, Minn., and Michael (Cherry) Austin, Minnetrista, Minn.; grandson Matthew Austin; granddaughters Layla and Sienna Huber and Sophia and Ella Austin; brothers David Ribelin, and Charles and Edward Zang.

Karen was preceded in death by her parents, husband Kilmer, brother John, and grandson Steven.

In lieu of flowers, the family asks that you consider a donation to the National MS Society or Sunset Drive - a Prospera Community.