Karen J. Duske

September 8, 1939 – February 1, 2025
Karen Joanne Duske, age 85, of Montrose passed away peacefully with her loving family by her side early Saturday morning, February 1, 2025.
She was born on September 8, 1939 in Franklin Township, Wright County, Minnesota to Edward "Henry" & Gladys (Topel) Ramthun.
Karen was baptized on October 1, 1939 by Pastor Alvin Leersen.
She was instructed in the Lutheran Catechism and confirmed in the Christian faith on July 6, 1952 at Trinity Evangelical Lutheran Church-Crawford Lake by Pastor Marvin Hanke. Her confirmation memory verse was John 15: 5 "I am the vine, ye are the branches. He that abideth in me, and I in him, the same bringeth forth much fruit: for without me ye can do nothing".
On February 20, 1957, Karen J. Ramthun and Stanley Duske were joined in holy marriage at Trinity Evangelical Lutheran Church-Crawford Lake by Pastor Alvin Schulz.
Karen and Stanley engaged in farming east of Montrose where she helped on the farm. She later worked for Butterfield Flowers and The Flower Farm for nearly forty years. Karen also worked at Delano Public School in the lunch room as a cook and server.
As a member of Trinity Evangelical Lutheran Church-Crawford Lake, Karen taught Sunday School and also Vacation Bible School, she sang in the choir and belonged to Young Peoples Society.
Following her marriage, she became a member of St. Paul's Evangelical Lutheran Church in Montrose. She was a faithful member and played church organ for many years, taught Sunday School, Vacation Bible School and also sang and played for the choir.
Survived by her loving children: Scott (Peggy) Duske, Wendy (Brian) Manson and Curt (Kari) Duske; grandchildren: Christopher Lund (Wendy Wells), Amanda (Jesse) Shank, Jennifer (Joel) Lorentz, Jessica (Matt) Halderson, Mariah (Curt) Donner, Jacob (Miranda) Duske, Aaron (Jami) Duske and Nicole (Kody) O'Neill; twelve great grandchildren; siblings: Bert (Marlene) Ramthun, Gerald Ramthun and Diane (Larry) Hance; a brother-in-law: Jim Ramthun; sister-in-law: Joel Duske; brothers-in-law: Clifford (Wendy) Duske and Keith (Kathy) Duske; many other relatives and friends.
Preceded in death by her husband Stanley Duske on September 25, 2018, her parents, sisters-in-law Muriel Ramthun, Barb Ramthun, Carol (Orville) Horsch and Ardis (Ellsworth) Mauk, brothers-in-law Woody Lange and Norman Duske.
Funeral Services for Karen J. Duske will be held on Friday, February 7th, 2025 at 11:00 A.M. at St. Paul's Evangelical Lutheran Church in Montrose. Pastor James Grabitske will officiate.
Inurnment St. Paul's Lutheran Cemetery at a later date.
A visitation will be held on Thursday, February 6th from 4-8 P.M. AT THE CHURCH. Prayer service will be held at 7:00 P.M. Further visitation will be held on Friday morning, February 7th one hour prior to services.
Honorary Casket Bearers will be her granddaughters and great grandchildren.
Casket Bearers will be grandsons: Chrisopher Lund, Jesse Shank, Joel Lorentz, Matt Halderson, Curt Donner, Jacob Duske, Aaron Duske and Kody O'Neill.
In lieu of flowers, memorials are preferred to The American Cancer Society.
The Peterson Chapel in Buffalo is serving the family. Online condolences may be made to www.thepetersonchapel.com