Karen K. Williams, 69, Grand Forks, ND, died Wednesday, August 2, 2017 in St. Mary’s Hospital of Rochester, MN after a long battle with cancer. 

Karen Kae Karner was born February 18, 1948 in Lafayette, the daughter of the late Norman and Jeanette (Goldman) Karner. She was raised in Lafayette and graduated from West Lafayette High School class of 1966. She also worked in her father’s business, the Triple XXX family restaurant in West Lafayette. Karen earned her Bachelor Degree from William Woods University of Fulton, MO. She worked for Purdue State Bank in West Lafayette and later for Crocker National Bank in Lompoc, CA. 

Karen married Daniel Williams on June 7, 1976 in Solvang, CA. They lived in Lompoc, California and in York, Maine, before moving to Grand Forks, ND. Karen worked for Bremer Bank of Grand Forks, and for many years as an Administrative Assistant in the Public Affairs department of the University of North Dakota. 

Karen was a loving wife and mother as well as a devoted friend to many. Karen supported the SPCA, loved her cats, shopping and her beautiful long nails. She also enjoyed collecting lighthouse figurines.  

Survivors include her husband, Daniel, Grand Forks; son, Benjamin (wife Savanna) Williams, Jordan, MN; brother, Richard (Reta) Karner, Lafayette,  sister-in-law, Nancy Karner, Lafayette. 

Karen was preceded in death by her parents and by a brother, Allan and a sister, Norma Jean. 

Visitation will be Tuesday August 8, 2017 from 1-2pm Soller-Baker Lafayette Chapel. Followed by burial at Sons of Abraham Cemetery in Lafayette.