Karen M. Bloomquist

The family of Karen M. (Hengescht) Bloomquist of Billings, Montana is saddened to announce her passing on October 30, 2025, at the age of 89.

Karen had a number of beautiful traits: intelligent, creative, particular, organized, imaginative, patient, energetic, witty, and resilient. She cared deeply for her tight circle of family and friends.

Karen was born on August 30th, 1936, in Saint Paul, Minnesota. She was the only child of Nicholas A. F. Hengescht and Harriet M. (Spurr) Hengescht.

She primarily grew up on Hoyt Avenue within walking distance of Como Park in Saint Paul. Karen walked through the Como Zoo and Conservatory on her way home from school every day, spending extra time in the conservatory.

She developed a deep love of animals there, plus a passion and appreciation for plants and all things green as she grew up. She played with her best friend just down the street and continued that friendship throughout their lives.

Karen worked at Northwestern Bell Telephone company where she started as an operator, then moved into drawing schematics on mylar with india ink for the engineers.

During her lunch hours she would often go shopping at the big department stores or if she had a split shift, she would go to a movie before going back to work.

Karen met the man she chose to spend her future with on a bus from St. Paul, MN to Faribault, MN where they were both traveling to visit family. When the bus arrived in Faribault, Karen got up and ran off the bus, leaving Darrell wondering if he had said something wrong. Once Darrell got off the bus, he found Karen waiting for him, and she handed him her phone number, and told him she needed to run off find a paper and pen.

On August 25th of 1961, Karen married Darrell Bloomquist. After she quit the phone company she became mother to son, Darren, then three years later daughter, Dana.

Karen always had a particular, keen eye and was quite artistic. She enjoyed doing cross stitch, knitting, drawing, painting, making plaques, and other wood decorative items they ended up selling in a gift shop with amazing success. She enjoyed refinishing antiques.

Karen liked to cook and bake. Many of her "hot dishes" as well as her spaghetti sauce were recipes that were only in her head.

Once both kids were in grade school, Karen started working at Hennessy's Department Store, making signs with a printing press. Karen worked hard and always left in time to be home for the kids, making sure they came into the house with their mother home, often with a snack and/or warm cocoa waiting.

Karen's love of her home and plants carried into adding on a bay window in the dining room for more plants, then in the late 70's Darrell added on a plant room that was a daily sanctuary for her. She loved to be outside in her flower garden. Her flowers were spectacular and plants healthier than most greenhouses.

After Darren and Dana matured, Karen and Darrell started traveling. They enjoyed numerous trips, including bus tours and a couple of flights to some amazing destinations. Karen and Darrell had a plant business where they cared for plants at places like car dealerships and even private homes.

Karen had a great love and a soft heart for animals. She even had enough patience to tame down baby rabbits and feral cats. That patience was an amazing gift when caring for crying babies and young children. She often shared her talent with young kids to help them learn how to draw and color creatively.

Karen cared for her granddaughter from the time she was born until she went into high school. She was a very active part of Korrin's childhood.

Karen enjoyed her grandson, Preston. They loved playing finger games together, drawing pictures, and coloring, along with creative building.

Karen's children and grandkids were everything to her. One of her favorite phrases was to say that some people have kids, and some people raise kids.

Karen struggled with dementia and Alzheimer's in the later years of her life. In her last months, she was still sharp enough to have a conversation and recognized loved ones and treasured friends.

Karen is preceded in death by her son Darren D.W. Bloomquist, her parents, and aunts and uncles.

Karen is survived by her husband of 64 years, Darrell D.W. Bloomquist, her daughter Dana (Bloomquist) Dietz and her husband Jeff. Granddaughter Korrin (Dietz) Farnes, Grandson Preston Dietz.

Please do not send flowers.

Her family is requesting donations in Karen's name to the Yellowstone Valley Animal Shelter in Billings, Montana or Como Park Zoo and Conservatory in Saint Paul, Minnesota.