Karen grew up in Jackson, Minn., and attended college at Gustavus Adolphus in St. Peter, Minn. She married Gary Borchard in 1962, and they settled in northern California until retiring in Meeker in 2001. Karen and Gary celebrated 54 years of marriage in June.
Karen was a dedicated volunteer in Redding, Calif., for several organizations. She was the chairwoman of the Northern California chapter of the American Heart Association for several years, was on the school board for Old Shasta Elementary for 10 years, and chaired the Old Shasta Art Festival. In Meeker Karen enjoyed organizing Wednesday lunches for the Red Hats group. Karen made friends wherever she went and had a warm smile and a kind word for everyone she met.
She leaves behind her husband, Gary, her children Jodi (Ben) and Brett (Shauna) and her beloved grandchildren Nick, Jake, Alex and Colbi. Her memory lives on in the hearts of her sisters Konnie, Donna and Lisa, brothers Tom and Todd, her brothers and sisters-in-law and many nieces and nephews. Karen was predeceased by her parents, Don and Dorothy Krosschell and her brother Ron Krosschell, as well as her mother and father-in-law Don and Nevan Borchard.
She was laid to rest in Highland Cemetery in Meeker on Aug. 15, 2016. Karen was much loved and will be greatly missed by many.
