Karen Ann Wolff

Forbes, ND-Funeral Service for Karen Ann Wolff, 83, of Forbes will be 10:00 am Saturday, February 27, 2021 at Bethlehem Lutheran Church in Forbes. Rev. Alan Eppen will officiate. All are welcome to attend, but for those that are unable, the video of Karen’s service will be available after the service at www.Carlsenfh.com under her obituary.
Burial will be in St. Peter's Evangelical Lutheran Cemetery, rural Forbes.
Visitation will be Friday from 2:00 to 6:00 pm at the funeral home and one hour prior to the service at the church.
Karen Wolff, 83, of Forbes, ND passed away peacefully with family by her side, into the Lord's loving arms, on Monday, February 22, 2021, at Avera St. Luke’s Hospital, Aberdeen.
Karen Ann Olson was born May 5, 1937, at home, on the county line, between LaMoure and Dickey, near Edgeley, ND to Jens and Mary (Lovendahl) Olson. She was baptized at Zion Lutheran Church, Edgeley, ND, July 11, 1937.
On March 1, 1938, the young family moved to a farm north of Forbes which they purchased after Jens received his Citizen papers in 1941. Twin brothers Gary and Lary joined the family in 1940 and youngest brother Milton in 1942. Karen attended grade school in the little white schoolhouse, Slope No. 2, a mile north of their home. In the fall of 1948, they, along with the neighboring farms, received REA electricity. This meant the end of reading by kerosene lamp. Karen made a public confirmation of her faith at Bethlehem Lutheran Church, Forbes on May 27, 1951. Beginning in 1951, Karen attended Forbes High School with a Model A Ford where she especially enjoyed helping others with math and English and participating in basketball.
Karen attended college one year, fall 1955-spring 1956, at Normal Industrial in Ellendale and taught rural schools for three years. In the fall of 1959, Karen, her brother Gary, and Gary's best friend, Ted Wolff, traveled to California where Gary and Ted worked in the orchards and Karen worked in an office in Sacramento. The three returned in March of the next year when Karen began as an office assistant at Spaulding Auto Dealership, Aberdeen, SD. Karen and Ted began courting during the summer of 1961 and were married June 17, 1962 at Bethlehem Lutheran Church, Forbes. To this union, they were blessed with three children, Kathy, Carolyn, and Mike.
Over the years they most enjoyed the church and brought their family up with a strong faith in the Lord. They were both active all of their life with Bethlehem Lutheran Church, Forbes. Karen was a longtime member of the Bethlehem LWML and held many offices and committee titles. She was also involved with AAL and Thrivent. Karen enjoyed many hours playing dollies, board games, teaching her grandchildren card games, or being the main pitcher in a game of baseball with all her grandchildren. Ted and Karen retired and remained on the farm one and one-half miles out of Forbes in South Dakota. Mike and his family live just one mile from their farm, Carolyn and family live in Pierre, SD, and Kathy and family are in Des Moines, IA.
Karen had been mourning the loss of her beloved husband after he went to be with the Lord on January 18, 2021, but she was in good health after a recent hip replacement surgery. Sadly, an unexpected assortment of medical issues occurred abruptly and simultaneously, which took her life. The doctor could only explain her situation as this being the time the Lord wanted Karen to be in her final home. Karen was a strong caring Christian woman, who never missed a family birthday or special occasion with a card, and lived a life full of faith, family, and hard work.
Grateful for sharing Karen's life are her three children: Kathryn (Ed) Berstler (Des Moines, IA) Carolyn (Dennis) Ryckman (Pierre, SD) and Michael (Darci) Wolff (Forbes); ten grandchildren: Nathan Kent, Andrew Kent, Kristen Berstler, (all of Des Moines); Samuel Ryckman, Cassandra Ryckman, Joshua Ryckman, (all of Pierre); Landon (Alesha) Thayer, (Ipswich, SD), Lexi (Andrew) Hoffman, Grace Wolff, Avery Wolff (all of Forbes); eleven great-grandchildren: Oaklynn Kent, Jaden Kent, Harlie Kent, Jackson Kent (all of Des Moines); Madisyn Gellhaus, Tyler Gellhaus, Kirra Gellhaus, Sadie Thayer, (all of Ipswich); Easton Thayer, Aubrey Hoffman, Ella Hoffman (all of Forbes). She is survived by three brothers: Gary (Celia) Olson (Forbes), Lary (Rosella) Olson (Fargo, ND), Milton Olson (Minot, ND).
Karen was preceded in death by her husband, Ted Wolff, her mother, Mary (Lovendahl) Olson; father, Jens Olson; infant twin sisters; parents-in-law, Christian Wolff, Martha and August Haas; and one granddaughter, Shelby Thayer.
Carlsen Funeral Home of Ellendale has been entrusted with arrangements.
The video of Karen’s service will be available after the service due to limited connection.

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