Karen M. Otteson

Karen Mable Otteson, age 80, of Portland, ND passed away on Saturday, November 22, 2025 under the tender care of Valley Senior Living in Grand Forks, ND, surrounded by her family.

Karen was born June 21, 1945 in Mayville, ND to parents Helen and McLain Paulson. Karen was baptized and confirmed at Gran Lutheran Church. Karen was raised on the family farm outside of Mayville alongside her one brother and four sisters, all of whom she loved dearly. Karen attended country school and later graduated from Mayville High School in 1963.

On September 24, 1965 Karen married the love of her life, Neil Otteson, at Gran Lutheran Church. Together they made their home on a farm outside of Portland, where they joyfully raised their four children: Barb, Brian, Bruce and Beth. In 1992, Karen completed her Dietary Managers Course at The University of North Dakota. She worked as a dietary cook at Union Hospital for 18 years and later at Hatton Prairie Village for 13 years, retiring in April of 2015. Karen’s unwavering faith was an important part of her life. As a devoted member of Perry Lutheran Church in rural Portland, ND, she passed that faith on to her children.

Karen found joy in the simple and meaningful moments of everyday life. She loved the quiet peace of mowing her lawn on warm summer afternoons and listening to the soothing calls of loons across the lake. Her home was often filled with the comforting aroma of fresh baking and home cooked meals, and she was seldom without a Diet Coke at her side. Receiving scratch-off lottery tickets – one of her small pleasures -never failed to bring her a smile to her face. Karen had a deep love for animals, and her kindness extended to all, including feeding the neighbor’s dog, Harley.

Karen was very proud of her family and had many special neighbors and friends. Above all, Karen treasured time spent with those she loved. Whether gathering at the lake for family vacations, visiting her siblings and families near the home farm along the Goose River, celebrating at Paulson and Otteson family Christmases, or baking around the kitchen table with her children and grandchildren, these moments were the ones she held closest to her heart.

Karen is survived by her husband of 60 years: Neil; children: Barb Hamre, of Beltrami, MN; Brian (Kristin) Otteson of Glyndon, MN; Bruce (Jennifer) Otteson of Grand Forks, ND and Beth (Marv) Vredenburg of Nevis, MN. She is also survived by her grandchildren: Erika, Ross, Denae, Sara, Brianna (DJ), Brooke, Kayla (Nick), and Brady (Whitney), great-grandchildren: Kinsley, Paisley, Charlotte, Thomas, Susanna, John, Emersyn, Aiden, and Anna; sisters: Jane (Dean) Nelson of Portland, Bev (Dale) Holt of Mayville, Maxine Enger of Northwood and Janet (Tom) Nielson of Mayville, sister-in-law: Ina Paulson of Mayville; numerous special nieces and nephews and their families.

Karen was preceded in death by her parents; daughter-in-law, Karen Otteson; son-in-law, Rory Hamre; grandson, Nathan Ray; two unborn great-grandchildren, Molly Ray and Germain Ray; and her brother, Jerry Paulson.

Visitation: Will be 5–7:00 PM with a 6:30 PM Public Prayer Service on Tuesday, December 2, 2025 at the Bruflat Lutheran Church in Portland and will resume one hour prior to the service at the Perry Lutheran Church.

Funeral Service: 10:30 AM Wednesday, December 3, 2025 at the Perry Lutheran Church in Portland, ND.

Burial: Will be in the Perry Cemetery in Portland, ND.