Karen Houska, age 70 of Mahnomen, MN, died Monday, November 12, 2012 at her home under Hospice Care.

Karen Jean Elizabeth Zimmel, the daughter of Leavern and Lucille (Gens) Zimmel, was born on July 6, 1942 in Fosston, MN. She grew up on the family farm five miles east of Mahnomen. Karen attended country grade school near there and graduated from Mahnomen High School. On November 21, 1959 Karen was united in marriage to Thomas Houska. The couple made their first home together in Bowesmont, ND, for about a year after which they returned to the Mahnomen area. Karen and Tom were blessed with nine children and she treasured being able to stay at home to care for her family. In the 1970's, Karen began selling AVON and continued serving her clients for nearly 17 years. After their children were grown, Karen also started working with Multi-County Nursing Agency. She was passionate about her job and she truly enjoyed working with the company until her retirement a few years ago. She had always been an active member of St. Joseph's Catholic Church in Beaulieu, MN, where she taught bible school and faithfully served on the Ladies Aide, organizing many wonderful meals. Over the years, Karen greatly enjoyed her time with the Half & Half Homemakers Club and Christian Mothers. For the past several years, she also served on the Mahube Board and in her spare time, she liked to sew and cook. Karen spent many hours devoted to her gardens, particularly tending to her remarkable flowers. She tenderly nurtured them from small seeds into breathtaking gardens and arrangements. She was a very generous person who gave of her time and always volunteered to help others. Karen cherished her family and above everything else loved to spend as much time as possible with her children and grandchildren.

Karen is survived by her husband, Tom of Mahnomen; six sons: Steve (Jeanine) of Mahnomen, Mike (Barb) of Fargo, ND, Dale (Grace) of Dilworth, MN, Dan (Carrie) of Dilworth, Richard (Kristi) of Hickson, ND, and Wayne (Candi) of Glyndon, MN; three daughters: Cindy (Ben) Lee of Fargo, Sharlene (James) Lund of Moorhead, MN, and Deanne (Randy) Rothschadl of Dilworth; four brothers: Gerald (Sue) Zimmel of Dilworth, Harley (Bonnie) Zimmel, of Evansville, MN, Allan (Cindy) Zimmel of Mahnomen, and Loren (Shelly) Zimmel of Mahnomen; two sisters, Sandra (Ray) Klinkhammer of Mahnomen and Linda (John) Blaser of Fosston, MN; 23 grandchildren: Jennifer (Ben) Nelson, Matthew and Jason Lee; Cory, Heidi and Eric Houska; Allison and Dustin Houska; Josh (Kayla) Houska, Brooke Flores, Brandon Houska; Alex, Emma and Lucas Houska; Shelby and Isaac Lund; Derek, Devin and Blake Houska; Desiree and Kyle Rothschadl; and Katelin and Ryan Houska; four great grandchildren: Riley, Brayden and Harper Nelson, and Logan Houska; and many nieces and nephews.

She was preceded in death by her parents; Leavern and Lucille Zimmel; father-in-law and mother-in-law, Cecil and Apolonia Houska; brothers-in-law, Jerry Jaeger and James Geray; and one sister-in-law, Betty Zimmel.

Funeral Mass will be held Friday, November 16, 2012 at 11 am at St. Joseph's Catholic Church, Beaulieu, MN with Fr. Tony Fernando and Fr. Rick Lambert con-celebrating. Serving as pallbearers will be Isaac Lund, Josh Houska, Alex Houska, Derek Houska, Kyle Rothschadl, Cory Houska, Matt Lee and Allison Houska. All of Karen's grandchildren will be honorary bearers. Pianist will be Brenda Sorenson with Mary Ann Brisbois and Carol Liebl as song leaders.


Visitation will be held Thursday, November 15th from 5-7 pm, with a prayer service and rosary at 7 pm, all at St. Joseph's Catholic Church, Beaulieu.

Interment will be at St. Joseph's Catholic Cemetery, Beaulieu.