Karen (Strassburg) Moen, 71, lost her nearly 9-year battle with ovarian cancer in the early morning of 24 November, 2012, at home and surrounded by her family. Karen faced each day of the last nine years with courage, dignity, and grace, even during the most difficult times of chemotherapy.
Born in Bemidji, MN, the daughter of Bill and Myrtle (Caufield) Strassburg, Karen graduated from Bemidji High School in 1959 and later in life from Mesabi Community College in Virginia, MN. She occasionally worked out of the home in various secretarial positions in and around Bemidji and Virginia.
In addition to being a gifted artist, Karen had a love/hate relationship with golf, she was passionate about duplicate bridge, and she lovingly tended her perennial garden at the family cabin, where she looked forward to being with family and friends. Her warm and welcoming smile was available to all. She enjoyed spending the last twelve winters in South Texas among the pines and palms.
Karen's zest for life and her boundless energy, even during the most difficult of times, astonished those who knew her.
Loved by many, Karen was a devoted mother, grandmother, sister, wife, and friend. She will be profoundly missed.
Karen was preceded in death by her parents and a younger sister, Judy.
Karen is survived by Wayne, her husband of 50 years; daughters Julie (Steve) Berg of Big Lake, MN; Laurie (Tim) Leciejewski of Zimmerman, MN; grandsons Tyler, 20, (Julie); Troy, 16, (Julie); Lukas, 13, (Laurie); sister Lori Sanders of Bemidji, MN; brothers Bob Strassburg of Lake Wales, FL; Jack Strassburg of Jacksonville, FL; Jerry Strassburg of Bemidji, MN; Tom Strassburg of Bemidji, MN; and Mike Strassburg of Bemidji, MN.
Karen's family wishes to express its gratitude not only to her skilled doctors but also the the East Range Hospice personnel. Their dedication and tender care for Karen during her final weeks significantly eased her long struggle.
A family service will be held in Bemidji in the spring of 2013.
Family services are provided by Bauman-Cron, a Bauman Family Funeral Home, in Virginia. To express condolences on-line please see: www.baumanfuneralhome.com.

Born: September 25, 1941 Place of Birth: Bemidji, MN Death: November 24, 2012 Place of Death: Virginia, MN Occupation: Homemaker Share your thoughts and memories in the guestbook.