Karen Anderson

Karen Marie (Rennewanz) Anderson, 82, of Detroit Lakes, MN, passed away peacefully on December 3, 2025, at Perham Living in Perham, MN.

Karen was born on January 20, 1943, in Detroit Lakes, MN, to William and Edith Rennewanz. She graduated from Frazee High School in 1961 and went to work at Wards in St. Paul, MN, for a short time. She married Charles Anderson in August of 1962, and together they raised four children. In addition to managing the household and caring for her family, Karen also helped run the trucking company she and Charles owned. She was known as a woman who could take care of herself and those she loved — her family could always count on her in times of need.

She enjoyed planning and organizing family fishing and camping trips, as well as trying to keep everyone in line, which was not always an easy task. Throughout her life, she loved baking, sewing, crocheting, making wind chimes, tending to her flower gardens, and assisting her children with their never-ending projects.

Karen is survived by her children: Karla (Kurt) Bancroft, Karmen Olejniczak, Keith Anderson, and Kamay Anderson; her grandchildren: Tyza (Nathan) Thompson, Rebecca Bancroft, Braun (Lynn) Cox, Teryn (Brent) Cox Finnel, Katie (Luke) Walker, and Karsen Trieglaff; and her great-grandchildren: Levi Cox, Willow Cox, Brandt Cox, Jade Finnel, and Briggs Walker. She is also survived by her siblings: Diana (Paul) Coolidge Sailor, Lois Rennewanz, and LaRae (Bret) Anderson.

She is preceded in death by her half-brothers, Raymond Morgan and Wallace Morgan; her parents, William and Edith Rennewanz; her spouse, Charles Anderson; her grandson, Bryton Pihlstrom; and her son-in-law, Dale Olejniczak.

No funeral services are planned per her wishes.

“Forever in our hearts.”