Obituary - Karen Terrell

Karen Terrell, 63, of Havre, MT, passed away February 23, 2021, after a brave fight with brain cancer. She was surrounded by her loved ones at the time of her passing.

Karen was born in Havre, MT, March 23, 1957; she was the second of four children and only daughter to her parents, Richard "Dick" and Virginia "Ginny" Henderson. Her childhood was peppered with love and antics. Karen loved sharing her memories - sneaking records from her oldest brother Noel; finding all manner of slithering creatures caught and housed by her brother Jamey; taking her youngest brother, Mark, for cokes with her friends; cruising up and down Fifth Avenue; having Ugly Burgers and onion rings from Rod's; winning the second grade spelling bee; playing pinochle until the wee hours and camping in the Bear's Paw Mountains with family and friends.

She graduated a proud Blue Pony from Havre High School and moved to Great Falls, MT, and then to Lakeville, MN, before returning back to Montana. In that time, Karen had two children, Cassidy and Stevie - one of her greatest joys and accomplishments was being a mother. She was a kind, thoughtful, goofy, fun mother who was the biggest fan of her girls and they deeply loved and adored her. Karen always found herself surrounded by people who were attracted to her light and energy - like bees to honey.

She worked with special education children for many years in Montana and Minnesota. She was delighted by them, and they delighted in her. Upon her return to Havre, Karen opened Seasons in Thyme, showcasing her flower landscaping skills and creativity. Before retiring, she built more friendships working at Montana State University-Northern in financial aid and disability services.

Karen was an avid gardener who spent much of her time digging in the dirt - for herself, her family, and her friends. She loved her grandchildren and grand dogs, happily giving her love and time to these little joys in her life. Her favorite place was anywhere that included a conversation, a Bud-delight, and a little pruning. She leaves a legacy of kindness and laughter and will be deeply missed by everyone who knew her.

Karen was preceded in death by her father, Richard Henderson.

She is survived by her mother, Ginny; her brothers and sisters-in-law, Noel and Jen, Jamey and Mark and Jane; her daughters, Cassidy and Stevie; her grandchildren, Benjamin and Averyana; her nieces and nephews, Derek and Frank, Steph, Paige and Courtney, and her friends.

True to her giving nature, Karen donated her body to the Mayo Clinic for research and was an organ doner. There will be a celebration of life event after her ashes are returned to the family.

The family asks that donations be made to the Karen Terrell Memorial Landscaping Fund through MSU-Northern. Follow this link: https://msunfoundation.org/memorials-and-tributes, and in the box "What would you like your donation to support?" type Karen Terrell Memorial Landscaping Fund. This fund will be used for improving the landscaping around the MSU-Northern Campus to honor her memory and legacy.