Remembering Karen Williams

Karen K. Williams, retired administrative assistant for the Office of University Relations, Grand Forks, died Aug. 2, 2017 in St. Mary’s Hospital of Rochester, Minn., after a long battle with cancer. She was 69.

Karen Kae Karner was born Feb. 18, 1948 in Lafayette, Ind., the daughter of Norman and Jeanette (Goldman) Karner. She was raised in Lafayette and graduated from high school there in 1966. She also worked in her father’s business, the Triple XXX family restaurant in West Lafayette. Karen earned her bachelor’s degree from William Woods University of Fulton, Mo. She worked for Purdue State Bank in West Layfette, and later for Crocker National Bank in Lompoc, Calif.

Karen married Daniel Williams on June 7, 1976 in Solvang, Calif. They lived in Lompoc and in York, Maine, before moving to Grand Forks. Karen worked for Bremer Bank of Grand Forks, and for many years as an administrative assistant in the public affairs department of the University of North Dakota.

Karen was a loving wife and mother as well as a devoted friend to many. Karen supported the SPCA, loved her cats, shopping and her beautiful long nails. She also enjoyed collecting lighthouse figurines.

Survivors include her husband, Daniel, Grand Forks; son, Benjamin (Savanna) Williams, Jordan, MN; brother, Richard (Rita) Karner, Lafayette, IN; sister-in-law, Nancy Karner, Lafayette, IN.

Karen was preceded in death by her parents and by a brother, Allen and a sister, Norma Jean.

Funeral services will be 2 p.m. Saturday, Aug. 5, in Amundson Funeral Home of Grand Forks. Visitation will be for the hour before the service in the funeral home. Burial will be in Lafayette, Ind.

Online guest registry available at www.amundsonfuneralhome.com