Karen Smedshammer, age 81, of Fargo, ND, formerly of Valley City, ND, died Thursday, May 26th at Essentia Health, Fargo, ND.  A memorial service will be held at a later date.  Inurnment will be at the North Dakota Veteran’s Cemetery in Mandan, ND.

Karen Arlene Borgeson, the daughter of Jack and Mildred (Anderson) Borgeson, was born November 24, 1940 in Valley City, ND.  Karen grew up and attended school in Hasting, ND where she graduated from Hastings High School in 1958.  After her graduation, she attended North Dakota State School of Science in Wahpeton, ND and became a Licensed Practical Nurse.  She did her practicum training in Fargo, ND.  On May 6, 1961 she was united in marriage to Raymond Smedshammer at the North LaMoure Church near Litchville, ND. After her marriage, she worked in LaMoure as an LPN before the family moved to Valley City in 1966.  Karen then began working at Mercy Hospital in Valley City where she worked until her retirement.  After her retirement, she worked part time at Bridgeview Estates and the Sheyenne Care Center.  The couple moved to Fargo, ND in 2011.  Karen was an accomplished quilter, was a member of the Red Hat’s and loved to tend to her flower beds.

Karen is survived by her loving husband of 62 years, Raymond, Fargo, ND; three children, LaRae Smedshammer, Shakopee, MN, David (Wendy) Smedshammer, Sandy, UT and Randy Smedshammer, Mosinee, WI; three grandchildren, KarLee Smedshammer, RyLee Smedshammer and SaLee Smedshammer, all Sandy, UT; one sister, Jackie Heroux, Valley City, ND; one niece, Lisa (Scott) Limesand and one nephew, Paul (Dawn) Heroux, all Valley City, ND.

Karen was preceded in death by her parents and a brother-in-law, Richard Heroux.

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