Karen Lea Kjeldgaard

Big Springs native Karen Lea Kjeldgaard of Ft. Collins, age 55, passed away on June 6, 2014 at Pathways Hospice Center in Loveland. She departs into eternal peace from the loving arms of family and friends.
Karen was born in Julesburg CO on June 12, 1956, to Idell and Wayne Kjeldgaard. She grew up in Big Springs, Nebraska, and graduated from Big Springs High School in 1976. She was a cheerleader, played volleyball, and participated in band and choir.
Karen was confirmed in the United Methodist Church of Big Springs and spent her life in the Methodist community. She was an active member of First United Methodist Church of Ft. Collins, and established many loving and enduring friendships through her service to the United Methodist Women organization.
Karen earned her Baccalaureate in Business Administration from Nebraska Wesleyan University in 1980. As a Colorado employee of Martin Marietta, she accepted a transfer to San Diego and lived there until moving back to Colorado in 1994.
After graduate study in Business Administration she accepted a position at First National Bank of Ft Collins, where she managed investment portfolios until her retirement in 2013.
Karen traveled the U.S. and Europe. She joined her father Wayne on trips to Ireland and Alaska, and vacationed in Florida in February 2014.
Karen loved old movies, sewing, and time with her family. She was a devout Christian and lifelong student of the Bible. She doted on her Daschunds Opie and Gus. In addition to many devoted friends in Colorado and Nebraska, she is survived by her father Wayne, of Big Springs, NE, sister Julie Walsh and family of Ft. Collins, brother Mark Kjeldgaard and family of Englewood CO, aunts, uncles and other extended family.
A viewing, funeral and reception will be held on Tuesday June 10th at First United Methodist Church, 1005 Stover Street, Ft. Collins. Viewing opens at 10 am with services at 11 and reception to follow. Nebraska graveside services are planned for 11am Wednesday, June 11, at the Big Springs Cemetery.
Condolences and prayers can be entered at goesfuneralcare.com. In lieu of flowers well-wishers can donate to Pathways Hospice at http://www.pathways-care.org/Donations/Memorial-Donations-and-Gifts.php