Karen Wilke

Karen Jean (Carter) Wilke

September 22, 1939 – November 2, 2025

It is with boundless love and heavy hearts that we announce the passing of our mother Karen Jean (Carter) Wilke. Heaven only knows what a special lady she was.

She was 86 years of age. We always thought that mother would pass away maybe from too many birthdays. Over the last few years her health slowly deteriorated due to complications from diabetes, congestive heart failure, and other contributing factors that directly led to her death.

So, with a life full of faith, family, friends and love, in the early evening hours of Sunday, November 2, 2025, with her family present, our mother was received into the arms of her Lord and Savior.

She was born on September 22, 1939, in Owego Township near Sheldon, North Dakota, one of nine children to Charles Henry and Ruth Eleanore (Lester) Carter. Karen attended schools in Lisbon, even though she didn't graduate, she always remained in contact with classmates attending many of their reunions through the years.

Karen met a young man from Underwood, North Dakota, Harlan Dean Wilke. He was serving in the United States Army at that time, serving in Texas, Massachusetts, Panama and Cape Cod. Following a year of correspondence, courtesy of the United States Postal Service he returned home. They were married December 2, 1955, at St. John's Lutheran Church in Underwood, North Dakota.

While living in Underwood, two of their five children were born, Richard and Linda. A short time later, they moved to Lisbon making it their final home, where her other three children, Randy, David and Renae were born. Harlan had a thirty-nine-year career with the Lisbon Police Department and twenty-year career with the North Dakota Army National Guard.

Mother's life was busy. Her work ethic and commitment to caring for her children's needs were unparalleled. She worked hard in her life, as many others have done. She worked for June and Bill Kelson at Kelson's Bakery for many years. She began working full-time at Parkside Lutheran Home as dietary cook from early morning to mid-afternoon and also every other week and as needed at the Stake-out from 4:30 p.m. till late evening or closing time. In the middle of all this she and her husband owned and operated the Bronco Drive Inn. Later in her working career, she also worked at the Warehouse Grocery and the Lisbon School Bus Barn.

She was a woman of strong will and independence, she knew she was loved, us kids told her this often, we all still have our teeth because of her, we all can dance, sing and play music because of her, we are all great cooks (well all but one "Renae", she could never figure it out! ) because of her and we all inherited the value of a solid work ethic because of her. All our lives have been made richer because of her.

Karen was a self-taught piano player, couldn't read a speck of music, but she could play. She was proficient in most things she enjoyed but was a Master at donating money to the Casino near Hankinson. You can laugh, that was funny!

Harlan and Karen were members of Redeemer Lutheran Church. She loved her old time Gospel Hour of music and church services on TV. She loved baking for people, especially the drivers from the Bus Barn, we believe she used them (Bus Barn Driver's) as Guinea pigs from reading and finding recipes from her 100's of cookbooks.

Mother will survive in the hearts of her family and friends, who will remember her achievements, sense of humor, fortitude and unwavering principles. She will be missed.

Karen was preceded in death by her parents, her husband Harlan, son, Richard, daughter Linda, 2 infant twin brothers, brothers, Ernest Carter, Harlan Carter, sisters, Eileen Brunton, Elsie Olson, and Mary Haecherl.

She is survived by her sons, David (Shawn) Wilke of Anchorage, Alaska and Randy (Sue) Wilke of Helena, Montana; daughter, Renae Smith of Fargo; sister, Ruth (Curt) Eberhard of Fargo, sister-in-law, Lois Carter of Enderlin. Karen was also survived by her many grandchildren, great grandchildren, nieces, nephews and their families as well.

The family will receive friends during visitation hours from 3:00 p.m. to 5:00 p.m. Sunday, November 9, 2025, at Dahlstrom Funeral Home 11 Main Street in Lisbon. A funeral service in celebration of her life will be 11:00 a.m. Monday, November 10, 2025, from Redeemer Lutheran Church; 801 Forest Street in Lisbon. A burial service will follow at Oakwood Cemetery.

Karen Wilke Memorial Folder