Karen Elizabeth Johnson-Iblings-Koshenina of Upsala, Minnesota, passed away peacefully at her home surrounded by family on Sunday, April 19, 2026.
Karen was born January 28, 1951, to Margaret and Ralph Johnson in Little Falls, Minnesota. She grew up on her family farm in Upsala, Minnesota, with six siblings, and eventually settled in Maple Grove, Minnesota, to raise a family with her first husband, Randy Iblings. She worked as a housewife, a seamstress, a secretary, and a medical records supervisor. In her free time she enjoyed days at the beach swimming with her children Jeffrey and Kimberlee, and getting a good tan.
Karen would go on to marry her high school sweetheart, Fran Koshenina. After a few years they moved back to their hometown of Upsala to a lake place she and Fran built from scratch. Flowers were a passion of hers, and she had a gorgeous garden. Karen and Fran spent summer evenings cruising the lake on their pontoon and having dinner on the boat as the sun set. When not at the lake, they enjoyed traveling the country, and visited all 50 states. Wherever Karen went she loved meeting new people, and making lifelong friendships.
Karen is survived by her husband Fran Koshenina; son, Jeff Iblings and his wife Regan Saunders; daughter, Kim Iblings and partner Ed Matlock; sisters, Sandy Carlson, Ingrid Johnson, and Gretchen Schaumann; brothers, Paul, Steve, and David Johnson; along with numerous nieces and nephews; step-children, Rustie Miller and Sheleine Kepner, and their children.
A celebration of life will be held in the summer and will be announced at a later date.
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