Karen Bonkowski

Karen Bonkowski, age 63, of rural Bagley, MN, passed away unexpectedly on Wednesday, December 18th, at her daughter's home in Moorhead, MN. Memorial services will be held at 1:00 p.m. on Saturday, January 11th, at the Carlin Funeral Home in Fosston. Family will greet friends for one hour prior to the service on Saturday at the funeral home. Arrangements are with Carlin Family Funeral Service of Fosston and messages of condolence may be sent at www.carlinfuneral.com.Karen Ann Rauer was born on May 11, 1956 in Detroit, Michigan to parents Paul and Helen Roland Rauer. The family moved to the area after her father retired. She graduated from Clearbrook High School and then attended Wayne College in Detroit for nursing. It was there that she met the love of her life, Terry.Karen was united in marriage to Terry Bonkowski on October 12, 1974 in Washington D.C. After their marriage, they lived in Detroit where they lived and began their family. They moved to Bagley in 1998. They later lived a couple of years in Georgia and then eventually settled in Moorhead, Minnesota to be near family. She enjoyed listening to music and loved dogs. Most of all she loved being near her family with her grandchildren being a light in her life. Survivors include her husband of 45 years, Terry, of Moorhead, MN; three children, Terren Bonkowski of Plymouth, MI, Clint (Connie) Bonkowski of Hawthorn Woods, IL, and Kendall Bonkowski of Moorhead, MN; and seven grandchildren.She was preceded in death by her parents; and one brother, Charles Rauer.