Karen Diane Joy, 74, of Columbia Falls, went home to be with her loving savior Dec. 4, 2024. She was born Nov. 14, 1950 in Sidney, Montana to the late Clarence Albert Arthur Kohlman and Shirley Janice Weber.

Karen graduated in 1968 from Drake High School in North Dakota. She then went to Thief River Falls Vo Technical school for secretarial studies, which is where she met her first husband, Larry Berggren. They married Dec. 11, 1971 in Thief River Falls Zion Lutheran Church.

Karen was always fashionably late, which was just her style.

She enjoyed the simple things in life like gardening, good cooking, bowling, camping, and drinking wine. Karen had her own unique style and was the life of the party, always giving you a good laugh, the kind you always remember.

Professionally, Karen was a secretary for Fort Wainright Gas Station and Artic Cat. She enjoyed the fun in honking at other people while driving. 

Karen was a member of the Eagles Club, Officer of Women of the Moose in Fairbanks, and owned and operated and multiple motel businesses with family. Her favorite things to do included singing and dancing. She will always be remembered for her jewelry, especially the big hoop earrings, and cross necklace.

Karen is survived by children: Travis Clarence Berggren and Tara Janice Berggren; stepdaughter, Dawn Berggren Brinkman; grandchildren: Trevor, Tyler, Brylee, Madison, Bentley, and Arielle; great-grandchildren: Everlynn and Kinzlee; sisters: Brenda Crowell and Peggy Rosenbaum (Todd); nephews: Cory, Jason, Justin, and Dustin; and nieces: Carolyn and Mary. In addition to her parents, Karen is preceded in death by husband, Craig Joy; life partner, Larry Berggren; stepson, Terry Berggren; and nephew, Joel Haider.

A celebration of Karen Joy’s life will be held at 11 a.m. Friday, Jan. 10, 2025 at Columbia Mortuary, 1010 4th Avenue West, Columbia Falls. Family and friends may begin to visit on Friday starting at 10:30 a.m. Inurnment to follow at Woodlawn Cemetery, Columbia Falls.  To send online condolences, columbiamortuary.com.