Karen Crowell

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Karen Sue Crowell, age 60, of West St. Paul, formally of Hastings, passed away on June 18, 2020.

Karen was born in Burlington, Vermont on January 7, 1960 to Virgil and Pat Hippert,. She was the younger sister to Sharon and Terri. Karen had five children and eleven grandchildren, whom she loved very much. Her family was so very important to her, and she loved taking pictures to document the time spent together. These photos adorned her walls in every place she lived and she was so proud to show them off to all who visited.

Karen had a kind, empathetic heart and loved helping people. She worked as a home health aide for many years, and was always deeply invested in her work. She enjoyed working with her clients and their families, and found great joy in being a caregiver. Karen also had a great sense of humor, and could make everyone laugh with her colorful stories.

Karen loved to travel. Due to her father’s service in the US Air Force, she traveled quite a bit, even completing kindergarten in Germany. Eventually, the family settled in Aurora, Colorado and in 1978 she graduated from Smokey Hill High School. Karen moved to Minnesota in 1980 where she started her family.

Karen had a long list of places that she wanted to travel to. She was able to see some amazing sights on recent road trips with her sister Terri. Their time spent in the car was filled with great scenery and even better stories and laughter.  Karen will be deeply missed by all her family and her friends.

She is preceded in death by her parents, Virgil and Lelia Hippert and sister, Sharon Hazen.

Karen is survived by her children, Valerie (Charlie) Wilwert, Stephanie (Matt) Elling, Tracy (Nate) Crumb, Dustin (Natasha) Gunderson and Madeline Patterson; grandchildren, Landen, Jackson, Leo, Max, Paige, Avery, Remy, Macie, Hazel, Brinley and Charlette; sister, Tereasa Breuer; and many nieces and friends.

Due to COVID-19 restrictions Private Family Services are being held on Friday, June 26, 2020.

To protect the health and safety of all, services are currently being limited as required by state and local authorities and the CDC. Expressions of sympathy during this time can be left on the condolences page available on the obituary portion on our website. We also encourage you to view the video tribute or complete the HeartStrings online sympathy page with the link below. Check the funeral home website for the latest COVID-19 update or changes to the service schedule.