Karen J. Nelsen

Obituary

Karen Joan (Holmbeck) Nelsen, our precious mom, grandma, sister, aunt, cousin and friend, was called home to be with her beloved Lord Jesus Christ on Wednesday, April 1, 2026. The most important day in her life occurred in the fall of 1974, on the Stewart farm, when as a lost, guilty sinner, she trusted Jesus as her Savior, and was born again, according to the scriptures (John 3:7). Karen patiently endured many trials and physical ills through the course of her 81 years. Ultimately, she was diagnosed with a rare, bone cancer on November 16, 2025. She finished her earthly journey with the same grace and resilient spirit that always defined her life throughout. The joy of her Lord was her strength. Our unspeakable loss is heaven’s gain.

Karen was born in Slayton, Minnesota, on July 29, 1944, to loving parents, Alfred and Elizabeth (Bose) Holmbeck. Her life was shaped on the family’s farms in Lake Wilson, and Hamburg, Minnesota, where she learned and appreciated the value of hard work and responsibility, laboring beside her parents and siblings. She attended a one room school, with amazing teachers, her first through eighth grades, and then graduated from Central High School in Norwood Young America, Minnesota, in 1962. She went on to work at 3M, HTI, Ecumen Memory Care, as well as being a full-scale dairy farmer’s wife, milking cows and balancing her home work.

On February 2, 1963, Karen was united in marriage to Duane Midtling. Their union was blessed with two cherished sons, Barry and Kerry. Though she held many diverse occupations through the years, she always considered motherhood as her most precious, God given privilege in life. She loved her sons deeply and was devoted to raising them carefully for the Lord. In turn, Barry and Kerry would echo the words of Proverbs 31:28: “Her Children rise up and call her blessed.”

On May 9, 1987, Karen was united in marriage to Marvin Nelsen. They resided and farmed in Hutchinson Township, McLeod County, Minnesota, before moving into Hutchinson in 1991. They were blessed to share 28 years of marriage before Marvin went home to be with the Lord on June 15, 2015.

Karen had the creative gift of making everything more beautiful. Her yard, filled with awesome, immaculately groomed perennial gardens, a koi pond, and unique garden art, was a quiet sanctuary for birds, wildlife and loved ones. Karen found joy in the simple, lovely things, like sunrises, sunsets, full moons and the shadows they cast, sipping a cup of tea in her gardens with her bible in her lap, serenaded by the song of her wrens. She loved thrifting and garage saling, collecting antiques, rescuing wonderful treasures destined for the dumpsters, seeing their charm and potential beneath the dust and cobwebs.

Karen’s home was her special retreat, where she found peace and quiet, and renewal for her soul. As her illness advanced, she met the days with admirable bravery. She left the home she loved in Hutchinson, to reside at the Harbor in Norwood Young America, to be near her beloved niece, Brenda Schmitz, and family who devotedly cared for her and all her needs.

Karen is survived by her:
Beloved Sons, Barry Midtling and his wife, Sandra,
Kerry Midtling and his wife, Tammy;
Grandchildren, Bradley (Tina) Midtling, Crystal (Jordan) Wendlandt, Mandi (Jon) Olson, Jason (Tina) Midtling, Abril (Daniel) Acosta;
Great-grandchildren, Hailey and Malakai Wendlandt, MaKenzie and Colton Midtling, Jakob and Garrett Olson, Alexis and Chayce Midtling;
Marvin’s Sons, Bret Nelsen and his wife, Margie, and their daughter, Lydia,
Bart Nelsen and his wife, Flor, and their daughters, Annika and Audriyah;
Brothers, Melvin Holmbeck and his wife, Dorothy, and their family,
Robert Holmbeck and his wife, Judy and their family;
Twin Sister, Carol Jean Cliff and her husband, Greg;
Sister-in-law, Julia Holmbeck and her family;
Many very special nieces and nephews whom she loved dearly.

Karen is preceded in death by her Beloved Husband, Marvin Nelsen; Parents, Alfred and Elizabeth Hombeck; Parents-in-law, Ed and Lou Midtling, Henry and Emma Nelsen; Sister, June (Donald) Stoterau; Brother, Richard Holmbeck; Brother, Ronald (Pat) Holmbeck; Brother-in-law, PFC Richard Janski; Sister-in-law, Mavis Holmbeck; as well as a number of precious nieces and nephews.