Karen L. Arneson

Wednesday, September 7, 2016 3:35 pm

Karen L. Arneson, 71, of rural Canton, died Saturday, Sept. 3, 2016, at home following a lengthy fight with cancer. Memorial services are at 11 a.m. Thursday, Sept. 8, the Mabel First Lutheran Church in Mabel, Minn., with the Rev. Elliott Malm officiating. Burial is in the Mabel Lutheran Cemetery. Visitation was 4 to 7:30 p.m. Wednesday at the Mabel First Lutheran Church and one hour prior to services at the church. Mengis Funeral Home in Mabel is assisting with arrangements. mengisfuneralhome.com.

Karen was born Aug. 25, 1945, on the farm in Prosper, Minn., to Lyle and Alice (Albertson) Wilbur. She attended the Prosper School then graduated from the Canton High School in 1963. She attended Winona State College. She married Arlin “Arnie” Arneson June 27, 1964, at the Mabel First Lutheran Church in Mabel. They lived in the Canton area their entire married life. She worked at several places including Jorge and Benson Law Office, Mabel Creamery, Mabel Clinic, Rush Products, Rochester Medical and Northern Engraving. She was a member of the Mabel First Lutheran Church and the Mabel Lions Club, and was involved with the Area Council of Churches. Karen enjoyed bowling, playing cards, polka dancing, scratching tickets and playing Mahjong.

Karen is survived by her husband, Arnie, of Canton; two daughters, Susan (Mike) Munroe of Harmony, Minn. and Sara Elton of Stewartville; six grandchildren: Taylor (Brittney) Jarland, Jordan Jarland, Paige (Matt)  Floen, Lauren Arneson and Bailey Arneson and Grace Elton; great-grandchildren: Friea, Mya, Lincoln, Cameron and Ronan; her mother, Alice Wilbur, of Decorah; a sister, Wanda (Ron) Haack, of Bemidji, Minn.; two brothers, Curtis (Janice) Wilbur of Miller, S.D. and Mark (Kathy) Wilbur of Decorah,; and several nieces and nephews.

She was preceded in death by a son, Richard; her father, Lyle; a brother, Cleon and his wife Marilyn; and mother and father-in-law, Vivian and Leonard Arneson.