Karen Kleingartner

Karen June Kleingartner, 83, Gackle, passed away peacefully on Saturday, July 24, 2021, at Ave Maria Village in Jamestown.

She was born on June 3, 1938, on a farm near Jud, ND, to John and Opal (Schober) Zundel. After graduating from Jud High School, she attended Ellendale Normal College to earn a teaching degree. Karen married Norman on June 15, 1958, and they made their home on a farm southwest of Gackle. For three years, Karen taught grades 1-8 in a country school before she started farming full-time with Norman. They worked side by side for 60 years until retiring in 2017. She loved to work on the farm. They had three children, John, Sheri and Melissa.

Karen was always finding ways to be active in her community. She was a member of the Gackle Homemakers for 50 years, as well as a 4H leader and Logan County election inspector for many years. Her faith was a big part of her life. She was a member of the First United Church of Christ in Gackle where she served as the church secretary for 25 years and was a member of The Guiding Light Society. If someone needed help, Karen would volunteer with a smile on her face.

She is survived by her husband of 63 years, Norman; son, John (Ruth) Kleingartner, Gackle, ND; daughter, Sheri Kleingartner, Gackle, ND; daughter, Melissa (Paul) Bergquist, Elk River, MN; brother, Neil (Marion) Zundel, Bismarck, ND; sister, Sandy Schmidt, Dickey, ND; sister, Peggy (Lee) Mack, Bismarck, ND. She was also a beloved Granny to Alexandra and Adam Presler, Dauson and Jessie Kleingartner, and Evelyn Bergquist.

She is preceded in death by her parents, her niece Resa Schmidt and a great nephew Jacob Long.

Karen’s smile, positivity and sunny personality will be dearly missed by her family and friends.