Karen Heth

A Funeral Mass for Karen Heth, 80, of Dickinson will be held at 10:00 am Friday, April 26, 2024 at Queen of Peace Catholic Church in Dickinson with Monsignor Thomas Richter celebrating. Burial will follow at St. Joseph’s Catholic Cemetery in Beulah.

Visitation for Karen will be from 5:00 – 7:00 pm Thursday, April 25, 2024 at Stevenson Funeral Home in Dickinson with a Rosary and Vigil being held at 6:00 pm.

Karen passed away on Sunday, April 14, 2024 at Miller Pointe in Mandan.

Karen (Herman) Heth was born on July 5, 1943, the third daughter of Carl and Marguerite Herman in Hazen, ND.  Karen grew up on a farm south of Beulah with her siblings Mary Margaret, Marleen, and Darell.  She attended her first eight years of school in a one room schoolhouse across the road from the farm.  She graduated from Beulah High School in 1960.  Karen went on to receive her B.S. in Business Education at Dickinson State in 1964 and later her M.S. in Business Education from the University of North Dakota.  She had two children, Mary Kathryn “Mary Kae” and William Joseph “BJ,” from her marriage to Bill Heth. 

Karen spent 50 years in the teaching profession.  She taught at Mandan High School, East Grand Forks High School, and 45 years at Dickinson State University in the Business Department.  She genuinely cared about her students and wanted the best for all of them. 

Karen was active in organizations and held offices in the following: American Association of University Women, Alpha Sigma Alpha Sorority, Delta Kappa Gamma International Society, and the North Dakota Education Association. She received her “50” year pin from the Catholic Daughters of the Americas and was the Past Regent for the local organization.  Her faith was very important to her, and she was active in Queen of Peace Catholic Church as a Eucharistic Minister, a Sacristan, and observing Holy Hour. 

Karen was a loving and involved mother and grandmother.  She shared her love of horses with her children through horse shows, cow cutting events and rodeos.  She was an enthusiastic spectator at her grandchildren’s sporting events.  After each game, she always had bags of treats for Abby and Drew.  If she wasn’t at a sporting event supporting her family, she was cheering on the Blue Hawks.  

She enjoyed spending time with her grandchildren, loved her ranch, and riding horses.  During the summer you could find her outside on the deck with a cup of coffee, reading a good book.   It brought her great joy to gather family and friends to the ranch for her annual 4^th of July picnic.   

Karen is survived by her children Mary Kae (Steve) Kelsch and BJ; her grandchildren Abby and Drew Kelsch; her sister Marleen Schnaidt, brother Darell (Sherry) Herman and many special nieces and nephews. She was preceded in death by her father, mother, infant daughter Jennifer Jane, and her sister, Mary Margaret Wolf.