Karen Dentlinger

Karen Dentlinger, 57 of Maple Grove, Minnesota, died Sunday, September 18, 2011 at her home in Maple Grove, following a brave and inspirational battle with cancer. Mass of the Christian Burial will be celebrated at 11 a.m., Friday, September 23, 2011 at St. Lawrence Catholic Church in Carroll. The Celebrant will be Fr. Timothy Schott. Music will be by Marcy Anderson and the St. Lawrence Choir. Mass Greeters will be Karen’s friends, Fay Lamer and Ann Peterson. Lectors will be Karen’s sister’s in-law: Diane Dentlinger and Cate Hegstrom, and Karen’s friend, Patty Miller. Gift Bearers will be Karen’s niece and nephews: Jill Roberts, Ryan Potthoff, John Darveaux, Adam Pipich, and Kevin Pipich. Eucharistic Ministers will be Karen’s sister, Janet Darveaux, Karen’s sister in-law, Debbie Dentlinger, and Karen’s cousin, Lynn Crozier. Casket Bearers will be Karen’s nephews, Ryan Potthoff and Brian Roberts, and Karen’s brother’s in-law: Mike Pipich, Craig Dentlinger, Roger Dentlinger, and Joel Dentlinger. Burial will be in the Carroll City Cemetery. Friends may call at the Sharp Funeral Home in Carroll after 4:30 p.m., Thursday where there will be a rosary at 6:30 p.m., followed by a Christian Wake Service by the parish. Online condolences may be left for Karen’s family at www.sharpfuneral.com. Born on June 4, 1954 at Charter Oak, Iowa, Karen was the daughter of Clarence “Curly” and Louise (Fraune) Menke. On August 6, 1994 she married Neil Dentlinger at Pax Christi Catholic Church in Eden Prairie, MN. She lived most of her childhood in Audubon and Carroll, Iowa with her sisters and brother: Janet, Joan, Jane and the youngest, Ron. Karen began her Graphic Design career working for Jostens, based in Minneapolis. Then Neil and Karen moved to Oregon where she was the Director of Graphic Design for the company First Aid Only. Karen and Neil moved back to Minneapolis three years ago. Karen was quite the character. She was a fun, adventurous, brave, creative, artistic, loving, hard-working, and thoughtful person who cherished life, family and friends…and most importantly, God. She especially enjoyed good jokes, ridiculous moments (mostly at the harmless expense of those she loved), along with her silly little stuffed animal collection – where each “pet” came alive with a character all its own. Karen (AKA, “Brutis 1”) loved hitting the heck out of a golf ball, traveling to exotic places, going for long walks, and shopping. She was quick to give a helping hand to others. Karen was a joy and precious gift to her husband, family and many friends. We will miss our beautiful, beloved Karen, and we are grateful for the privilege to know and love her. We believe Karen’s mother, brother and grandparents are joyfully celebrating her arrival at the pearly gates. Survivors include her husband Neil Dentlinger of Maple Grove, MN; her father, Clarence “Curly” Menke of Carroll; three sisters: Janet Darveaux of Phoenix, AZ, Joan (Pete) Potthoff of Phoenix, AZ, and Jane (Mike) Pipich of Denver, CO; 21 brothers and sisters in-law; 34 nieces and nephews, and many friends. She was preceded in death by her mother, Louise Menke in 2008; and her brother, Ronald Menke in 1987.

Karen Dentlinger

June 4, 1954 - September 18, 2011