Karen Blasdell
May 14, 1943 ~ June 12, 2008
Karen Blasdell, 65, of Highmore, passed away Thursday, June 12, 2008 at the Hand County Memorial Hospital, Miller.
Funeral services were 2:00p.m., Wednesday, June 18, 2008 at the United Methodist Church, Highmore with Pastor Jenene Earl officiating. Burial was in the Highmore Cemetery. Visitation was held from 5:00-7:00p.m., Tuesday, June 17 at Luze Funeral Home, Highmore followed by a 7:00p.m., prayer service.
Karen Ann Jacobsen was born to Fred and Elsie (Duncan) Jacobsen on May 14, 1943 at Pierre, SD. She was raised in Hayes, SD where she was active in 4-H, farming and ranching while growing up. She attended Kurley School until eighth grade. Karen started her family in Hayes having six children. She worked on the Charles Jacobsen ranch. She loved going to kid’s rodeos, auctions, showing cattle with the kids raising pug dogs.
She met the love of her life, Alfred Lee Blasdell and moved south of Highmore. They were married on October 19, 1992 and three more children were united to this family. She farmed, ranched and loved to work with animals and was the co-owner of Grandpas Variety Store. She was a mom and grandma to everyone and anyone and she greeted everyone with open arms. She loved going rummaging, hunting, taking the grandkids fishing and boating, baking and making care packages to send to the local military members overseas. She also enjoyed doing a number of things for her family and friends.
Karen’s memory will be cherished by her husband: Alfred Lee Blasdell, aunt: Marie and family, sister: Sandy (Doug) Letzring, sister-in-law: Julie Jacobsen, children: Patti (Skip) Mitchell, Paula (Bill) Valgren, Pam (Ron) Sowards, Bo (Dixie) Terrill, Patrick Sowards, Clay Sowards, Charles (Connie) Blasdell, Bobbi Jo (Brad) Martin and Debbie Blasdell; twenty three grandchildren, Ronnie, Dallas, Dusty, Bobbie Ann, Catanna, Aaron, Andy, Ann, Adam, Steven, Sandy, Triniti, Shawnee, Kristin, Ryan, Michael, Matthew, Mickayla, Miles, Jade, Jared, Indie, Josh and Ashley; thirteen great-grandchildren, Daimyan, Bane, Johnessa (Buttons), Aries, Kaitlynn, Dylan, Kayden, Baryden, Teegyn (Trigger), Evan, Ross, Ryan, Javin, Kaisa and dear friend Helen Raymon, Pennsylvania and many nieces, nephews & cousins.
She was preceded in death by her mother: Elsie; father: Fred; four brothers: Ronnie, Dick, Vernon and Charley; mother-in-law: Emma; father-in-law: George and grandson Stewertt.
Luze Funeral Home of Highmore has been entrusted with Karen's arrangements.
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I am so sorry to hear of Karen’s death. It is such a shock when it happens so fast. The Lord knew he had a winner in her. He must have thought we had learned all she could teach us. Now it is our turn to pick up where she left off. I alwys enjoy her when I got to visit with her. She loved her family very much it showed in her eyes and smile when she talked about them. She was so proud of each and everyone of you. May God comfort you in the days to come. Have peace knowing she is pain free and riding her favorite horse.
Sincerly
Edith Wheelhouse
Karen will be deeply missed by many she was one of a kind. May the love of family and friends surround you all during this difficult time.
“There will come a day
when your tears of sorrow
will softly flow into tears of remembrance…
and your heart will begin to heal itself…
and grieving will be interrupted by episodes of joy…
and you will hear the whisper of hope.
There will come a day
when you will welcome the tears of remembrance…
as a sunshower of the soul…
a turning of the tide…
a promise of peace.
There will come a day when you will…
risk loving…
go on believing…
and treasure the tears of remembering.”
Lee
I am so sorry for your loss. I loved Karen so much and you too. God blessed me the day I met Karen. She always had a hug for me and a big smile. I will never forget her laugh. My heart aches but I know I have one more guardian angel. With Love, Leanne Dalton Loesch
Lee and family,
We are so sorry for your loss. Karen was just over at our place the other day looking for one of the dogs. It is hard to believe that she is gone. Please know that we are thinking of you and if there is anything we can do, please call us.
Mike, Heather, Logan & Cade Wurts
Roger & Linda Wurts
Lee, I am so sorry for your loss. Karen was such a wonderful person. We had such a good time with our dogs. I could always count on her to take care of things when I was gone. She was one that would give the shirt off her back to help someone. I remember you both saved the day more than once for me when we had livestock and hayed down there. She will be missed. If there is anything I can do just holler. Nancy
I HAVE KNOWN KAREN ALMOST THREE YEARS NOW AND SHE HAS BEEN LIKE A MOM TO ME.I LOVED HER AS IF SHE WERE.WE ARE ALL GONNA MISS HER VERY MUCH. SHE WILL ALWAYS BE IN MY PRAYERS.WITH DEEPEST SYMPATHIES TO THE WHOLE FAMILY AND GOD BLESS ALL OF YOU.
PEGGY BUSHEY,DAVI,&TIFFANY
Karen Blasdell Family,
You each have our deepest sympathy in the passing of your wife, mother and grandmother. We will keep you in our thoughts and prayers during this very difficult time. Do know she is with our dear Lord and watching over everyone. It is hard to understand why he choose her at such a young age and with so many loving family and friends, but he did choose the best. My memories of Karen are from a very young age and I just remember that she would assure we were all taken care of and always feed well! Her loving smile and gentle touch were what made her a awesome “Aunt” to our family. May her memories be life lasting and do know that you each have our sympathy.
Love,
Ed, Bardene
Heath, Heather and Benjamin
Peter
Lee: so sorry for your loss. It is so hard to lose a spouse but somehow we continue to go on. Haven’t seen you for sooo long but maybe someday our paths will cross as I go to Wess. Sprgs quite often. You take care Betty
Pat and Lee, I was so very much devastated when I received the call from Pat about your loss. My greatest sarrow is that I never had the oppertunity to meet Karen face to face and in person. I would call your home and she would answer and we would chat and chat and chat. Before I knew it we had been on the phone and hour just bs’ing. from our first chat session Karen made me feel like one of the family. And that feeling grew with each and every call I made. I am so very sorry for your entire families loss. Lee I spoke with on the phone briefly after Karen passed and we spoke about me coming down to your place and doing some fishing. Keep your eyes open and your door unlocked cuz I WILL be there to take you up on that offer. God bless your entire family and please let me know what if ANYTHING I can do to help your family through this. “Creamycheese”
Pat & family , we know how hard this time is for you and your family the loss is overwhelming
try to remember the love of your mother and the special place she has had in all your lives. Know that she loved you and is still
watching over you as only a mother can do. We are thinking of
you praying for you.
your friends alway
Perry & Karen
Paula, Bill and Family
I am so very sorry to hear of your loss. I wish I could have been there for you. You are in my thoughts and prayers.
Love
Misty (Briley) Huehl
My deepest sympathy on Karen’s passing.
Karen was my aunt but she was also my friend. Please keep your good memories of her to share with your children and grandchildren as I will also. The fun we shared on the Rankin Ranch and at the Ernst Place will always have a place in my memories.
Although she already had children and was “an old married woman”, she still could have fun with us and gave me some of the best advice I ever received.
Karen had a heart of gold and would help anyone. She was never afraid of the meanest old cow but was so gentle and caring with the baby animals.
Her kids were her world. She basically taught herself to sew and told me that the first shirt she made for Paul didn’t even make it through the first day; but she kept at it and was able to sew anything. She made the whole family matching outfits for rodeos and weddings and she even taught the boys to sew. She made a vinegar cake that my sisters still talk about.
She was a remarkable woman and will be missed by many. I regret that I did not stop and visit with her this lat year – that is my loss. Sue Jones
To Ronnie, Dallas, Dusty, Bobby Ann, Patti, Pam and families, I am so sorry for your loss, you are in my thoughts and prayers…my heartfelt condolences to all of you in your difficult time…Karen was always a joy to speak to on the phone even for a brief moment! She will be missed very much by everyone’s life she touched! God bless and keep you all! Sincerely, Stacy
To sad, way too sad
I am so sorry for your loss. Karen was a great lady and I will miss her greatly. She always treated me and my kids like family. I personally feel greatful to have a great guardian angel on my side now. Karen, do me a favor and give my dad a big hug for me up there in heaven. God Bless! See you again someday.
Mom, I miss you so much I think of you everyday and the talks we had. Theres days I really need you to help me. I pray everyday you to come home and see me PLEASE I really do miss you so much. I missed you on my Birthday and Johness birthday is coming up in a few days. Mom theres days I just start crying because I miss you so much.You have always been there for me. When I’m driving down the road I could talk to you all the way to where ever I was going.Mom things are not the same with out you here. I really need you these days. Its so hard to go on with you not here. I LOVE YOU MOM. Patti