Karen Andrea Helgaas, 71, of Fertile, MN, died on Wednesday, October 22, 2014, at Sanford Hospital in Fargo, ND. She passed suddenly after suffering a severe stroke.

Karen was born on July 30, 1943 to Miron and Laura (Treichel) Widrig in Fertile. She grew up and attended the Fertile Public School, graduating May 1961.

On September 9, 1961, Karen married Harvey Helgaas at the Varnes Lutheran Church, Fertile. They made their home on a farm east of Fertile, where they raised three children. Karen helped out with the farming and their taxidermy business. In addition to that, she worked as a waitress at the Town & Country Restaurant and was a housekeeper at the Fair Meadow Nursing home for a number of years. Then Karen worked side by side with her mother at the Fertile Rec, as she learned her mother's technique for creating remarkable baked goods, especially donuts. Once her mother retired, she took her baking skills to Mac's Café in Fertile. After her children left home, Karen embarked on a new career she loved with all of her heart. She became a Certified Nurse Assistant, working in both the Fair Meadow Nursing home as well at the Twin Valley Living Center.

During the time she was not working, Karen enjoyed playing cards with family and friends, watching TV, putting together puzzles and crocheting. More than anything else, Karen was a devoted, loving, daughter, wife, mother and grandmother. She was very kind and tender-hearted towards everyone she knew.

Karen is survived by her daughters: Christine Stene, Shelly, MN; Marcy (Craig) Ketelsen, Edmore, ND; grandchildren Kyle Stene, Ryan Stene, Paige Stene all of Shelly; Emily, Johnathan, Erika Ketelsen, all of Edmore, ND; three sisters Gloria (Marlen) Peterson, Ada, MN; Marlys Visser, Gary, MN; RoseMary (Lew) Modahl, Moorhead, MN; one brother Mike (Linda) Widrig, Fertile; special family friends Elvin "Bucky" and Joyce Wright, Fertile; several nieces and nephews and grandnieces and grandnephews. She is preceded in death by her husband in 2002; her son Matthew John in June 1996; her son-in-law Richard Stene in January 2004; her father, Miron in July 2008; her mother, Laura on March 26, 2014.

Funeral: 11:00 Monday, October 27, 2014, Faaberg Lutheran Church, Rindal, MN.


Visitation: Sunday from 5-7PM with a 6:30PM prayer service at Erikson-Vik Funeral Home, Fertile, and one hour before the funeral at the church.


Burial: Faaberg Lutheran Cemetery.