Karen Kay Raymond

Karen Kay Raymond, 66, of Crookston, MN, passed away late Friday morning, January 13, 2023, in the Sanford Medical Center, Fargo, ND, with family at her side.

Karen was born in Wichita, KS on January 3, 1957, the daughter of Jack Vance and Kathleen Mae Kochman. They later moved to Salida, CO where her brother, Daniel “Bud” Vance was born. Mae married Ronald M. Boucher in 1960 and the newly formed family moved to Crookston soon after. Karen was united in marriage to Michael Edward Raymond on September 16, 1974, and they moved to Oceanside, CA where Mike was stationed with the US Marine Corps at Camp Pendleton. Karen was employed in the dietary department of Camp Pendleton Hospital. She later received her diploma from Crookston’s Central High School as a member of the Class of 1975. A son, Michael was born to their union while they were living in California. In April of 1977 they moved back to Crookston where son, Erik, was born. Karen began working in the office of Drs. Wood and Kwan at their clinic, and later as bookkeeper for Robertson Lumber. She next spent a few years employed with the Polk County Attorney’s Office before beginning a 20-year career with REM. During these years Karen did a wonderful job of raising her granddaughter, Haleigh, from a child to a lovely young lady. At the current time Karen was working from her home providing clerical service for Developmental Homes of Grand Forks.

Karen and Mike loved spending time camping at the Polk County Park on Maple Lake near Mentor.  She was eagerly awaiting the start of their 43^rd season in the Park and getting settled in a beautiful new camper they had just purchased. She was definitely excited to start another summer making memories with her family.

Karen was a member of the Cathedral of the Immaculate Conception parish. She was an ardent supporter of many charitable organizations, especially those that provided well-being for children, veterans, and animals. She dearly loved her sons and their families, while finding room in her heart for her 3 Pekingese fur babies: Sammy, Buddy, and Luci.

Grateful to have been a part of Karen’s life for 48 years is her beloved husband, Mike; their 2 sons and daughters-in-law, Michael and Misty Raymond of Grand Forks, ND, and Eric and Heather Raymond of East Grand Forks, MN; 4 grandchildren: Haleigh, Jace, Korbin, and Aaden; 2 brothers and a sister: Daniel “Bud” Vance of Crookston, MN, Mark Boucher of Vista, CA, and Sherri Erickson of East Grand Forks; and from Mike’s family, sisters-in-law and brothers-in-law: Connie and Dan Erdman of Crookston, MN, Ken and Anita Raymond of Astoria, OR, Veronica and Larry Hasbrouck of Orlando, FL, Renee and Craig Caillier of Thief River Falls, MN, Nate and Nicole Raymond of Fargo, ND, and Stacy and Marlin Brule of Jordan, MN. Karen also leaves nieces, nephews, aunts, uncles, cousins, extended family, and many, many friends.

She was preceded in death by her parents; Ron and Mae Boucher, and Jack Vance; parents-in-law, Marlyn and Cecilia Raymond; and other family members. May God bless the memory of Karen Kay Raymond.

A Celebration of Life service for Karen will be held at 11:00 a.m., Saturday, January 21, 2023, in the Stenshoel-Houske Funeral Home, Crookston, with The Rev. David Baumgartner, officiating. Visitation with Karen’s family will be for one hour prior to the service. To watch the service via livestream please go to Karen’s obituary page at www.stenshoelhouske.com and click on the prompt to view.