Karen Ann Hellie

Karen Ann Hellie, 69 year old resident of Pierz, MN, died Saturday, October 1 at St. Josephs Hospital in Park Rapids, MN. A Mass of Christian Burial will be held on Thursday, October 6 at 10:30 a.m. at St. Josephs Catholic Church in Pierz, MN with Father Kenneth Popp officiating. A visitation will be held from 4:00 to 8:00 p.m. on Wednesday, October 5 and from 8:30-10:00 a.m. on Thursday, October 6 at Emblom Brenny Funeral Service in Pierz, MN. The burial will be held in the parish cemetery. The parish prayers will be held at 7:00 p.m. on Wednesday evening at the funeral home.

Karen Ann Sitzman was born April 25, 1947 in Little Falls, MN to the late Elmer and Marie (Suess) Sitzman. Karen lived in Pierz and attended school in Pierz. She graduated from Father Pierz Memorial High School with the class of 1965. She was united in marriage to Richard Piasecki in 1966. Richard died tragically in a construction accident in Hubbard County, Minnesota in 1969. Karen was united in marriage to John Hellie on September 25, 1970 at St. Josephs Catholic Church in Pierz. The couple made their home in Pierz for 46 years. Karen waitressed at the Old Bank Restaurant in Pierz for 27 years. She truly enjoyed visiting with her customers and pouring a great cup of coffee. Karens greatest joy in life was her family, especially her grandchildren. She loved spending time with them and never let them leave without a hug a kiss and telling them that she loved them. Karen was her families #1 supporter and cheerleader. She spent many hours cheering for her kids and grandkids from the sidelines, and supporting John in his coaching career. The couple enjoyed spending time with family and friends at their cabin on Big Bass Lake in Hubbard County. Karen and John enjoyed escaping the cold winters of Minnesota and wintering in Cape Coral, FL. Early in her life, she enjoyed hunting and fishing. She loved to play cards, especially Hand and Foot. Karen was a caretaker. She was concerned about everyone and was always there when you needed a friend.

Left to cherish her memory are her husband, John Hellie of Pierz, MN; children, Randy (Lynn) Piasecki of Sauk Rapids, MN, Tanya (Tim) Ruhland of Lakeville, MN and Stacy (Rick) Herold of Pierz, MN; grandchildren, Darean and Alli Herold, Alex and Abby Ruhland; great-granddaughter, Stella Herold and one due any day; siblings, Tom (Christy) Sitzman and Red (Pam) Sitzman both of Pierz, MN, brother-in-law, Lloyd Stachowski of Pierz, MN; sister-in-law, JoAnne Sitzman of St. Joseph, MN.

She was preceded in death by her parents, Elmer and Marie Sitzman; first husband, Richard Piasecki; sister, Marcene Stachowski; brothers, Marvin and Gerard Sitzman.

Casket Bearers: Duane Paulsen, Brian Stachowski, Dan Stachowski, Doug Sitzman, Ken Sitzman, Tom Riley.

Honorary Casket Bearers: Barbara BabsFunk, Beverly Kelzenberg, Judy Riley, Sue Paulsen, Kelly Strom, Ren Swanson, Ashley Sitzman, Amber Axtell.