Karen Sue Erath, 58, passed away peacefully on Saturday, March 9, 2019, surrounded by her family at her home in Dexter, Minnesota.

Karen was born on Oct. 5, 1960, to Keith and Norma (Johnson) Koch in Maquoketa, Iowa. She graduated from Wykoff High School in 1979. She was united in marriage to Jeffrey Erath on June 30, 1999. Karen settled in rural Sargeant, Minnesota, for 28 years, then moved to Dexter in 2010.

She enjoyed sewing, camping, fishing and entertaining her large family and friends. Karen worked at the Blue Haven for years, then went into nursing for nearly 20 years as TMA in nursing homes. She was always up for a road trip and wouldn’t turn down a chance to ride her motorcycle. On Sundays, she was always watching the Vikings or any football game. She loved her cat, Olive Oil, and collecting Eeyore memorabilia.

Karen is survived by her husband, Jeff Erath, Dexter; daughters, Brooklyn (Rich) Bennett, Dodge Center, Minnesota, Bonnie (John) Erath, Owatonna, Minnesota, Becky (Patrick) Erath, Austin, Minnesota, and Barbara (Rodolfo) Erath, Waltham, Minnesota; son, Bruce (Keanna) Erath, Blooming Prairie, Minnesota; 13 grandchildren; mother, Norma Koch, Lanesboro, Minnesota; and brothers, Kenneth (Karen) Koch, Fountain, Minnesota, Kevin (Janelle) Koch, Chatfield, Minnesota, and Dale (Becky) Koch, Preston, Minnesota. She was preceded in death by her father, Keith Koch; ex-sister-in-law, Rhonda McCabe; uncles, John Koch and Donald Koch; and aunt, Frances.

The funeral service will be at 11 a.m. on Friday, March 15, 2019, at Evanger Lutheran Church, 33554 660th Ave. in rural Sargeant, with the Rev. Dwight DoBell officiating. Visitation will be from 5-7 p.m. on Thursday, March 14, 2019, at Czaplewski Family Funeral Home, 501 Second St. NW in Hayfield, Minnesota, and one hour before the service on Friday at the church. Inurnment will be in Evanger Lutheran Cemetery at a later date.