Karen Bernice Hjellming

Karen Hjellming, age 74, of St. Francis, MN, passed away Sunday, May 22, 2022.

Funeral service will be held Saturday, June 4, 2022 at 2 PM at Peterson-Johnson Funeral Home in Milaca.  Visitation will take place one hour prior to the service at the funeral home.  Interment will take place Monday, June 6, 2022 at 11:30 AM at Fort Snelling National Cemetery in Minneapolis

Karen was born May 7, 1948 in Grand Rapids, MN to Lloyd and Kathaleen (Bundy) Clafton.  She was the oldest girl of the 13 children.  She lived there until attending business school after high school.  

Karen was married to Roger on December 26, 1967, who affectionately called her "Ace".  They shared nearly 48 years, raising a family of 5 daughters.  They spent their years living in Coon Rapids, MN, Birnamwood, WI, and St. Francis, MN.  

Karen loved country music and going to concerts.  She loved her soaps and was a dedicated Days Of Our Lives fan since she was a young lady.  A day spent going to yard sales and parks with lunch out was always a good day. The county and state fairs were a must.  She enjoyed sewing work from home, making doll clothes and later working for Sylvester's when the girls were older.  Karen loved her Cocker Spaniels and other dogs for company, and enjoyed looking out at the horses in the pasture.  She considered them all good company.  Trips to the casino were enjoyed also, in her later years.  She loved to be on the go, and missed it when life slowed her down. 

Karen was a dedicated homemaker who loved her family the most in life.  She carried a broken heart for all those who hurt, sharing their hardships in life.   Her promotion to grandma and then great grandma was a blessing as the family continued to grow. Visits and gatherings with family were always important, even if they were a chaotic mess. 

Their children include Dawn Hjellming (Tim Rose) of Birnamwood, WI, Kathaleen (Brook) Kurth of New London, MO, Becky Hjellming (BJ Vue) of Milaca, MN, Sandra (Brian) Rustad of Braham, MN, and Sharon (Kevin) Coleman of Hopkins, MN;  grandchildren:  Martin Kelly,  James, John & Alorah Kurth, Savannah Hjellming, Dallas & Odessa Shepherd, and Andrew Hjellming;  great-grandchildren, Masyn, Aliahnah, Avah, Aliss, Wyatt & Emerleigh;  siblings, Sandra Knapp of Grand Rapids, MN, Evelyn Waterbury of Grand Rapids, MN, Greg Clafton of St Francis, MN, Nancy Mueller of Red Rock, AZ, Roger Clafton of Grand Rapids, MN, Ray Clafton of Tracy, CA, Mary Dreher of Pinkney MI, Peggy Clafton of Grand Rapids, MN & Tim Clafton of Howell, MI.  

Preceded in death by parents, Lloyd & Kathaleen Clafton;  husband, Roger Hjellming;  siblings, Mike, Don, & Vern Clafton;  great-grandchildren, Austin, Aliciah & Colten.

She will be so greatly missed.  We love you, Karen, Mom, Grandma, Old Grandma!