Karen Daniels, 78, of Browerville, passed away on Thursday, November 7, 2024, at her home. A Mass of Christian Burial will take place on Wednesday, November 13, 2024, at 2:00 PM at the Christ the King Catholic Church in Browerville. Visitation will take place on Tuesday, November 12, 2024, at the Iten Funeral Home Chapel from 4:00 PM to 7:30 PM. Rosary will be prayed at 3:45 PM that day, and a prayer service will take place at 7:00 PM. Visitation will continue the day of the funeral mass at the church from 1:00 PM to 2:00 PM. Burial will immediately follow the Mass at the church cemetery.
An angel was born on April 4, 1946, Karen Marie Daniels. She was the daughter of Donald and Delores (Wiersgalla) Daniels and big sister to Edward. Karen graduated from Browerville High School. On June 20, 1964, married Donovan Warner in a double ceremony with Don’s sister, Eileen Uhlenkamp. Karen then moved to Silver Bay, where Don worked at Reserved Mining. They were blessed with two daughters, Bonnie and Jackie. In 1966, the couple purchased property in rural Lake County, where Karen took an active role in chasing cattle and butchering chickens. In 1978, Don and Karen relocated their small cabin home on the property and began building their dream home in which Karen was a crucial part in the planning, designing, and building. She got her big kitchen, oak cabinets, and baking island.
Karen took a job in 1971 as a short order cook at the Beaver Bay Inn that started what would become her lifelong career. After leaving that position, she accepted a camp cook position with the hearing-impaired youth groups at Tettegouche State Park (her favorite job). From that job she moved to the Silver Bay Senior Dinning program where they absolutely loved her meals as much as her conversation. She continued her career as a cook retiring in 2012 from the Silver Bay Veteran’s Home where she never followed a recipe.
In addition to taking care of her children, Karen loved puttering in the kitchen, crafts and sewing.
Later in life Karen helped care for her mother, spent time with her children, grandchildren and friends, shopping, crafting, weeding her gardens, playing cards, Rummy-O, and scrabble. Her generous heart will be missed. One of Karen’s greatest gifts was her overflowing heart and ability to talk with anyone and make them feel special. She welcomed everyone into her home with a cup of coffee, something sweet, and conversation even if you were a stranger. She could be coerced into taking on roles in her children’s activities, be that a PTA mom or leading her daughter’s girl scout troop. She was game for making crafts, selling cookies and the scouts loved her scary stories. In her quiet time, she would listen to music, occasionally play her accordion, was an avid reader, loved her garden flowers, and her family.
On Thursday, Nov. 7, 2024, Karen entered heaven. She was a devoted, loving mom to her daughters, Bonnie Warner (Silver Bay, MN) and Jackie Miller (Sauk Rapids, MN). She will be missed by many including her grandchildren, Lucas Miller and Josie Miller (Sauk Rapids, MN); and her brother, Edward (Judy) Daniels (Battle Lake, MN). She was preceded in death by her parents, Donald and Delores Daniels; and her former husband, Donovan Warner. Arrangements are with the Iten Funeral Home of Browerville.
