Karen was born August 11, 1946, in Sturgis, SD, to Clarence and Helen (Norris) Edlund. She grew up in The Bench area, prior to the family moving to a dairy farm outside of Newell in 1960. She graduated from Newell High School in 1964, and married the love of her life, Lynn Laumer, on June 6, 1965.

She held a secretarial job in the early years of their marriage, while Lynn finished college in Aberdeen, and another after he began teaching in Webster. After Lynn decided that teaching was not for him, they moved back to Newell, and purchased land on Horse Creek, where they raised hogs and built barns and finishing lots. A few years later, they added more land, built a Quonset barn, and a Grade A dairy herd of Holstein cows were purchased from Karen’s parents. They maintained the dairy herd for nearly 20 years, and their cows won many awards for milk production.

During their time in Newell, Karen gave birth to two daughters, Tracy in 1970 and Karlie in 1976. She was very active in their school activities, and she and Lynn went to all of the concerts, sporting events, and science fairs that the girls were involved in over the years.

Karen always loved to craft, starting early with making her own clothing. She also knew how to quilt, knit, cross stitch, toll paint, quill, and create numerous beautiful and adorable crafts over her lifetime. Many friends and family members have stated that their Christmas trees are full of ornaments made by Karen over the years. School teachers and church leaders always received hand made gifts from Tracy and Karlie, that were made by Karen, with or without their assistance. Karen always participated in the Christmas show held at the Newell City Hall, and she also attended numerous years at the Black Hills Thrashing Bee, the Parade of Trees in Rapid City, the Ram Show in Newell, and most recently, the Neighbor 2 Neighbor Farmer’s Market in Spearfish.

In 1987, Lynn and Karen sold their dairy farm and moved to Spearfish. Karen had been working at Black Hills Special Services there, where she continued to work until her retirement. She loved working with Prairie Winds, and began writing poetry and short stories after spending so much time working with the various South Dakota authors who were a part of the educational magazine.

After Lynn’s death in 2016, Karen continued to craft and sew. She was fond of saying that she had to “muddle through” life without having Lynn around to help her with various tasks. She and Karlie had to watch a YouTube video to learn how to change the oil in the lawn mower, and Karlie even had to teach her mother how to put gas into her vehicle. Lynn, ever the gentleman, had always taken care of this for his lady.

In February of 2025, Karen moved to Bondurant, IA, into Courtyard Estates, and her house in Spearfish was sold in May of that year. This was to allow her to be closer to her daughter Tracy, and her two grandsons Chris and Steffan, who live in the Des Moines area.

This vibrant and head-strong woman left us on Sunday, March 22, 2026, to spend eternity with Jesus, the One she had faithfully served and honored her whole life.

Karen is survived by her two daughters, Tracy Jepson of Ankeny, IA, and Karlie (Tyler) Treat of Reno, NV. Also surviving are her grandsons, Christopher and Steffan Jepson, Ankeny, IA, and step-grandson Christopher Treat, Winchester, CA. Grandma was a title that Karen wore with delight, and she was very proud of the young men in her life. Other survivors include numerous nieces and nephews and cousins.

She was preceded in death by her husband of 50 years, Lynn; her parents Clarence and Helen; her sister Darlyne Monner; and numerous aunts, uncles, and cousins.

Memorials have been established to Believer’s Fellowship in Sturgis and to the Alzheimer’s Association. Condolences may be sent to the family at www.kinkadefunerals.com. Visitation will be held on Wednesday, April 8, at Kinkade Funeral Home in Sturgis, SD, from 5:00-7:00 pm. Karen’s memorial service will be held at Believer’s Fellowship in Sturgis, SD, on Thursday, April 9, at 1:00, with a luncheon afterward. Burial will be held at the Wilson Cemetery between Newell and Vale in a private service following the luncheon at the church.