Karen D Peterson

Karen Deborah (Corah) Peterson of Park River, ND died on Palm Sunday, April 5, 2020 at the age of 66 in her daughter’s home in Grand Forks, ND surrounded by her family.

Karen was born December 16, 1953 in Grafton, ND to Eilene (Rustebakke) and Emil Corah. She grew up on the farm with two sisters and attended school in Lankin, ND. She was married to Joseph Michael Peterson on June 28, 1985 and they resided on a farm near Park River. She moved to town shortly after Joe passed away from Pancreatic Cancer.

She worked as a bartender at The Club and the Alibi for 25 years and became a CNA at the Good Samaritan Center in Park River, where she was currently working for the last 20 years. Karen was named CNA of the year in 2004 and had been nominated several times. She took pride in her job and was a very joyful, loving, dedicated and loyal worker. She loved being outdoors tanning on her deck, making jerky, canning salsa, camping, pontooning, gardening, baking, sipping cold beverages, spending time with her grandchildren, family and friends. She also enjoyed watching Ellen and The Vikings.

Karen is survived by her children: Shannon (Kim) Novak, Grand Forks, ND; Debra (Paul) Gilbertson, Grand Forks, ND; Rhonda (Julian) Corona, Grand Forks, ND; and Amanda (Nikki) Peterson, Thief River Falls, MN; her grandchildren Heather & Haylee Novak, Madison Gilbertson, Skylar Sandvig, Cameron Anderson, Uriyah Corona, Hayden Olson, Ty Olson, Landyn Olson and Cooper Deziel and her mother-in-law, Betty Peterson, Colorado Springs, CO. Karen was preceded in death by her husband, Joseph, parents and sisters: Marlys Carlson and Janice Kosobud.

Due to the current COVID-19 pandemic, private services will be held on Joe’s Birthday, April 9, 2020 at the Tollefson Funeral Home of Park River.

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