Karen Mae Fletcher

Karen Mae (Swanson) Fletcher, 85, passed away peacefully on January 20, 2025.

Born prematurely on September 20, 1939 at St. Anthony Hospital in Minneapolis to Ralph and Elsie (Goldbloom) Swanson, Karen's fighting and persistent spirit was evident from the start. She came home two months after her birth, tiny enough to fit in a shoebox and wrapped in blue.

She met the love of her life, Russell “Rusty” Fletcher, dancing at the New Year’s Eve party hosted by the Fish Lake Pavilion in 1957. They were married by January 1958 and together, raised three tenacious sons (Rodney “Butch,” Kurt, and Tad). Through their shared dedication and hard work, they built not just a family but a legacy across Harris, building and restoring several properties, and establishing Harris (later, Fletcher) Plumbing and Heating, which became a cornerstone of the community.

Throughout her life, she enjoyed listening to and playing music on the accordion and piano, knitting, and sewing, and later, bird watching, and her diet coke. Our self-reliant mother and grandmother was always known for living life on her own terms and setting her own rules. Above all else, she was dedicated to her family and found her greatest joy and purpose in caring for and spending time with her loved ones.

Karen is survived by her children Butch Fletcher of Harris, Kurt Fletcher of Hinckley, Tad (Tammy) Fletcher of Braham; 9 grandchildren; 6 great-grandchildren; sister Kathy (Jim) Olson of Harris; sister-in-law Lois (Vern) Arntson of Sabin; nieces and nephews.

She was preceded in death by her parents Ralph and Elsie Swanson; husband Rusty Fletcher.

Reverend Teleen Saunders will officiate funeral services for Karen: 11 AM; Thursday, January 30, 2025 with a time of visitation and reviewal one hour prior to the service all at Fish Lake Lutheran Church in Stark. The interment will take place in Fish Lake Lutheran Cemetery, Stark.

In lieu of flowers, please consider a donation in Karen's name to your preferred cancer organization.

Funeral arrangements are entrusted to the: Funeral and Cremation Service of Rush City, Olson Chapel
www.FuneralAndCremationService.com