Karen Ann Croal was born on September 21, 1937, in Minneapolis, Minnesota to Lee Francis Croal and Berneice (Monroe) Croal. She attended grade school at Milbank and later moved to and graduated High School in Sisseton, South Dakota. At the age of 4, she was baptized on January 9, 1941, to parents Lyle and Avis Farley. She was raised by Lyle and Bernice Farley. Karen met the love of her life at roller skating and they were united in marriage on October 22,1955 at Godwill Lutheran Church, Sisseton, SD. For 62 years they farmed, raised Herefords, dairy cattle, sheep, and hogs. In the fall of 1981, Art and Karen began the Canyon Ranch Trail Rides, offering horse rental and guided trail rides through the Coteau Hill and Knights Canyon until 2021. Karen worked at Dakota Sewing Factory, Veblen, SD making pillows, and Tiospa Zina Tribal School as a dorm caretaker. Karen was a member of Our Saviors Lutheran Church, Veblen, SD. She enjoyed writing poems and sharing them. She also attended all of Wayne’s Special Olympics. KarenkeptajournalofWayne’s life starting from the day he was born. She had leadership roles in her Sisseton Alumni group, the VFW Auxiliary, the Christian Women’s group, and her OSLC Circle. She enjoyed gardening. Karen had a garden of wild prairie flowers, and she had a large tomato garden where she grew tomatoes for the community and A+W. Her children learned how to be good gardeners due to helping their mom throughout the years. She enjoyed sewing, being a seamstress for her family, roller skating, reading to children. Art, Karen, and family always watched Olympic Professional figure skating. All her life, Karen loved music and singing. Karen welcomed everyone into her heart and home with a poem for all occasions. Her biggest family was her church and trail riders. She will be greatly missed by many families and friends too numerous to mention. Karen passed away on April 2, 2025, at Hendrick Community Hospital, Hendrick, Minnesota surrounded by family. Till we meet again.

Karen is survived by her children, Michael Borgen of Sisseton, SD, Russel (Wendy) Borgen of Olivehurst, CA, and Diane(David) Kinney of White, SD; grandchildren, Melissa, Christine, Brian, Paul (Darcy), Jessica, Derek (Amy), Trina, and Emily; great grandchildren, Ty, Bo Jac, Destiny (Sam), Jasmine, Nathaniel, Adam, Alijah, Aliana, Jaya, Mason, Keisha (Ashton), Kianna, Colton, Marley, and Ana; great-great grandchild Kolt; brothers Lyle Farley and sisters, Kathryn Griffin and Jane Croal; niece Betty Manikowski and many more nephews, nieces, and cousins.

Karen was preceded in death, by her parents, her husband Art, children Cathy Borgen and Wayne Borgen; two brothers, Frank and Tom; two sisters Liz and Judy; grandchildren, Kierra and Katelyn Nelson; nephew Richard Borgen and in-laws, Elizabeth Olson and Harold Mattson.