Karen M. (Baker) Boomgarden

Karen M. (Baker) Boomgarden, age 67, of Redwood Falls passed away on Saturday, April 25, 2009. She went peacefully, from her home, to be with her Lord and Savior.

Funeral services will be held at 11:00 a.m. Thursday, April 30 at the Willmar Assembly of God Church.

Visitation will be held from 5:00p.m. – 8:00p.m. Wednesday at the Redwood Valley Funeral Home in Redwood Falls and will continue one hour prior to the services at the church on Thursday. Interment will be held at 4:00 p.m. in Prairie Hill Cemetery in Fulda, MN. The Redwood Valley Funeral Home is handling the arrangements.

Karen (Baker) Boomgarden was born April 3, 1942 in Wayne, Nebraska to Melvin and Margaret (Goebbert) Baker. In 1948, Karen and her family moved to Minnesota and began farming in the Brewster and Dundee Minnesota area. She attended Brewster High School, graduating in 1959. After being introduced by a mutual friend, Karen was united in marriage on December 18, 1960 to Peter Boomgarden at Evangelical Lutheran Church in Heron Lake, MN. Together, the couple moved to Detroit Lakes, MN. Then, in 1975, they moved to Ivanhoe, MN and finally to Redwood Falls, MN in 1984.

Karen’s faith and walk with God was so precious to her. In October 2007, she completed her educational training and received her Ministerial Certificate of License through End-Time Glory Ministerial Organization. Since that time, she went on to serve as a Bible Instructor and in many leadership roles within the ministry. This past February she went to Guyana - realizing a life-long goal to be part of an international missions' team. She would have us remember one thing: know Jesus, live, walk, trust and rest in Him. Her family cherishes the memories of her faithful love for all, which was rooted in Jesus’ faithful love for her.

Karen was so thankful and felt blessed for the many opportunities she had throughout her life. Opportunities to serve in many capacities both at Church as well as Christian and community organizations--Sunday School and Vacation Bible Schools, Christian Women’s Club, Study Club, and Women’s Federation to name a few. Opportunities to travel - her most memorable being Hawaii and Israel. Opportunities to pursue and most importantly share with others her many interests and hobbies like collecting Depression Glass, antique dishware, cooking and baking, canning, gardening, embroidery, and so many others. Karen lived her life to the fullest.

Karen is survived by her children: Bruce Allen Boomgarden of Redwood Falls, Carrie and husband Rob Danz of Andover,MN; granddaughter Sidney Danz; brother Dennis and wife Mary Lou Baker of Kenneth, MN; and many other relatives and friends. She was preceded in death by her parents; husband Peter; and sister Marion.