Karen Hinkle, 51, of Austin, Minnesota, died Sunday, June 28, 2015, at her home after battling breast cancer for three years.

Karen Louise Ackland was born in Austin on April 5, 1964, to Robert and Geraldine (Baumgartner) Ackland. She attended Austin Public Schools, graduating from Austin High School. Karen married Thomas M. Hinkle on Feb. 14, 1987, in Brainerd, Minnesota. Karen worked in the office at Medgaarden’s Southwest Sales for the last several years where she loved working with all the people.

She was a member of Our Savior’s Lutheran Church. Karen enjoyed spending time with her family and friends, going out to eat, camping and hiking. Over the years Karen and Tom have traveled to attend country music concerts throughout the area. An animal lover, she enjoyed her cats and taking her dog on long walks. She sewed and loved to bake goodies for family and friends. Karen always put others before herself.

She was preceded in death by her father Robert Ackland; her grandparents; mother-in-law and father-in-law, Lucille and Harold Hinkle; brothers-in-law: Norman and Eugene (Bud) Hinkle, brother-in-law, Bill Booth.

Karen is survived by her husband Thomas Hinkle, Austin, Minnesota; sons: Derek Hinkle, Austin, Minnesota, and Jason Hinkle, Austin, Minnesota; mother Geraldine Ackland, Austin, Minnesota; sisters and brothers: Sandra (Robert) Colbenson, Brainerd, Minnesota, Donald Ackland, Austin, Minnesota, Judy Ackland, Austin, Minnesota, and Dale (Jean) Ackland, Austin, Minnesota; sisters-in-law and brothers-in-law: Cindy (Frank) Griggs, Arkansas, Betty Booth, North Carolina, Robert Hinkle, Rochester, Minnesota, Fred (Georgette “Jo”) Hinkle, Austin, Minnesota, Geraldine (Stan) Zerck, Becida, Minnesota, Sharon (Ken) Scheid, Becida, Minnesota, LaVon Hinkle, Las Vegas, Nevada; numerous aunts, uncles, cousins, nieces and nephews.

A memorial service will be held at 11 a.m. on Saturday, July 18, 2015, at Our Savior’s Lutheran Church with the Rev. Glenn Monson officiating. Visitation will be at the church for one hour before the service. Memorials are preferred to the donor’s choice. Clasen-Jordan Mortuary is in charge of arrangements.