Karen Marie Thompson, 76, passed away on March 15, 2026, in Denison, IA. She was born on January 14, 1950, in Drayton, ND to Melvin Andrew and Sylvia Marie (Peterson) Thompson.

Karen grew up in Grand Forks and graduated from Central High School on May 31, 1968. She then attended the University of North Dakota and received a degree in Speech Pathology on May 14, 1972, and in 1974 completed her masters. Karen first worked at Altru Hospital in Speech Language Pathology. In 1976, she moved to Carroll, IA, and worked for the state on standards for their Speech and Language Department. In 1992, she moved to Denison, IA, and worked there with the Western Hills AEA again working with standards in the schools. Karen also served on the State Autism Committee.

Karen’s favorite pastimes were creating crafts and buying and selling antiques. She had an antique shop in her home in Carroll, and she also sold her antiques at the malls in the area. She had many different crafting projects, but one she loved was crafting unique hand-sewn purses, which she sold at craft shows all around the area.

Karen loved to travel and visited Japan, China, Denmark, Sweden, and Norway. Many times she visited Hawaii and stayed with a friend at her house. A memorable trip was to the motorcycle rally in Sturgis, SD, with her cousin, Marie, and her husband, George. One of Karen’s favorite things to do was travel back home to visit her family.

With her busy schedule, she always found time to go to church and attend bible studies. Karen retired on December 22, 2011, and in her retirement, she remained busy with her antiques, crafts, her beautiful yard, and many gorgeous flower beds.

Karen is survived by her significant other, John Larson and her aunt, Charmayne Blawat. She was preceded in death by her parents and her brother, Greg Thompson; her grandparents, Gerhard and Hulda Thompson and Amund and Marie Peterson; her aunts and uncles, Bob Thompson, Marjorie Jean Knoff, Delores Anson, Geraldine Knudson, Ardelle Carlson, Beatrice Orsund, Ruby Heazlett, Inez Dahl, Harris Peterson, and Clarence ‘Sonny’ Peterson.

She leaves behind many relatives, including her Peterson Cousins and Thompson Cousins and a lifetime of stories and memories made with family and friends. While we are heartbroken by her passing, we take comfort that she is at peace. She will be deeply missed.

A memorial service will be held on Saturday September 26 at 2:00 p.m. at the Austin Funeral Chapel, 403 W Divide Ave in Drayton, ND. Visitation will be one hour before the service.

Burial and a luncheon will follow at Skjeberg Lutheran Church and Cemetery.