Karen Guenther, 64, Dickinson died Tuesday, April 7, 2009 at Med Center One, Bismarck. Karen’s funeral service will be at 10:30 a.m., Friday, April 10, 2009 at St. John Evangelical Lutheran Church, Dickinson with Rev. Steven Tangen officiating. Entombment will follow at the Dickinson Mausoleum. Visitation will be on Thursday from 1 p.m. to 7 p.m., at Ladbury Funeral Service with a prayer service at 5 p.m. Visitation will continue one hour prior to services at the church on Friday.

Karen Kelsch was born June 12, 1944 in Mott, the daughter of Frank and Esther (Gross) Kelsch. She was raised and educated in Bentley and Mott. Karen married Curtis Guenther on June 18, 1961 in Mott and they moved to Dickinson in 1966 where they made their home.

Karen worked at Lincoln Elementary School from 1976 to 2008. She enjoyed having coffee with friends, reading, playing cards and spending time with her children and grandchildren.

Karen will be forever loved and remembered by her surviving family; her four children, Gina (Eddy) Dvorak, Dickinson, Kurt (Laurie) Guenther, Bismarck, Colin (Lisa) Guenther, Bismarck and Julie (Dick) Ficek, Mandan; seven grandchildren, Brittany and Shaunda Dvorak, Dickinson, Jared, Brianne, Madeline and Matthew Guenther, Bismarck, and Easton Ficek, Mandan; her sisters, Aileen (Wilmer) Treichel and Janice Kelsch, Mott; her brothers, Arlyn and Ronald Kelsch, Bentley; one niece, Lori (Trent) Eggers, Mott; and her best friend, Cheryl (Vince) Mosbrucker, Dickinson. She was preceded in death by her parents.