Karen M. Rodke

Karen M. Rodke, 77, of Hawley, MN, passed away on Saturday, February 16, 2019, at Bethany on University, Fargo, ND. Karen was born in Moorhead, MN, on August 23, 1941, and adopted at birth by Thomas and Pearl (Leach) Torgerson. She grew up in Glyndon, MN, and graduated from Glyndon High School in 1959. Karen married ElRoy Rodke on June 27, 1959. Together they made their home in Eglon Township near Hawley where they began raising their three children.  In 1976, they moved to their current home in Hawley Township. Karen worked for Lakes Publishing in the 1970s.  In 1987 she went to work for Silver Lake Oil in Hawley.  She remained with the company as it changed names to Cenex, Conoco, and Petro Serve USA.  When Cenex established the Hot Stuff Pizza franchise, Karen became the deli manager.  She served countless breakfast sandwiches and pizzas to Hawley residents and travelers over the years.  She retired in 2008.  Karen and ElRoy enjoyed traveling and spent many winters in Daytona, FL.  She was an avid shopper.  She was delighted when she found a sale and rarely purchased anything without a coupon.  She was a member of the Dish Dodgers softball team during 1960s and participated in league bowling in the 1980s.  Karen was a fantastic cook and baker and cared for a large garden every summer.  Most of all, she enjoyed spending time with friends and family.  She was her grandchildren’s biggest fan. She will be dearly missed.

Karen is survived by her husband, ElRoy; children, Paul (Mindy) Rodke, Michelle (Brett) Dahl and Ann (Dave) Leshovsky; grandchildren, Stephanie (Billy) Jordan, Katie (David) Gibb, Andrew Rodke, Gavin Rodke, Kade Rodke, Brielle Rodke, Jennifer Jorud, Ryan Dahl, Grant Leshovsky, Aiden Leshovsky and Holden Leshovsky; and great-grandchildren, Jackson Jorud, and Spencer and Grace Jordan.

She was preceded in death by her parents.

Visitation will be Thursday, from 5:00 – 7:00 p.m., followed by a prayer service at 7:00 p.m., in Wright Funeral Home, Hawley, MN.

Memorial Service will be Friday, at 11:00 a.m., in Hawley United Methodist Church, Hawley, MN.