Karen J. (Gottfrid) Blomquist passed away May 21 after a brief illness. Born November 7, 1937, in Lindsborg, Kansas, she lived and worked in Saline County for most of her life.
Karen graduated from Assaria High School and received both her undergraduate and master’s degrees from Kansas State University. She married Dale Blomquist in 1959, and they worked together farming, running a business and raising a family until Dale’s death in 2007.
Karen worked as a consultant dietitian for many years and in 1987 she and Dale founded Kansas Care, a home health care agency. The business grew to include three locations in Salina, Lyons and Concordia, providing home care and home health to hundreds of local residents. Kansas Care was at the forefront of technology as one of the first providers of telehealth services in Kansas. Karen was honored as the Woman of Achievement for Business and Industry in 2001. Karen maintained the business for several years following Dale’s death, ultimately selling it and moving into the next chapter of life.
Karen always volunteered, serving as a local 4-H leader and as a food and nutrition judge for 4-H at the county and state level. Karen was an active member of Assaria Lutheran Church, singing in the choir, sewing quilts, serving on the Worship and Music Committee, the Altar Guild, and the Church Council. At the time of her death she was a member of the church’s 150th Anniversary Committee and treasurer of the church’s Women of the ELCA. She had been a member of the League of Women Voters and the Lions Club, working on a number of projects with those organizations. After retirement, she worked alongside her grandchildren and their friends making enchiladas and pies for the Southeast of Saline FCCLA.
A proud Wildcat, Karen enjoyed attending K-State football and basketball games, and in 2023 made the trip to Madison Square Garden for the Sweet Sixteen and Elite Eight rounds of the NCAA Men’s basketball tournament. Game nights were not to be interrupted!
Karen’s interests were wide and varied. She was an active reader of the New York Times and the Wall Street Journal. She supported public radio and public television, and read widely.
Karen was the daughter of Joshua and Freda Gottfrid, and the sister of Joshua “Joe” Gottfrid, who resides in Denver, North Carolina. Karen and Dale had three children, Kristin (Raymond Shinn), Ingrid Pohl and Eric (fiancée Amber Fouard), and nine grandchildren, Aaron and Andrew Shinn, Alan, Adrienne (Nathan Flynn) and Anya Pohl, Bridgette (Crosson), Zack and Layne Blomquist. Her brother, children and grandchildren will miss her love and support. Her pride in their achievements and interest in their lives was unwavering and constant. While she is no longer physically present, the example she set will inspire us to keep learning, to look forward, and to love unconditionally.
The funeral will be held Saturday, May 31 at 1 p.m. at Assaria Lutheran Church. Following the burial at Assaria Lutheran Church Cemetery, there will be a reception for friends and family in the church hall.
In lieu of flowers, memorial donations may be made to Lutheran Campus Ministry at Kansas State University or Kansas Public Radio.