Karen Holte

Karen Alice Holte, 76, born July 18, 1935 died at her home March 25, 2012.

Karen was the granddaughter of two well known immigrant fishing families; Swedish "Skipper" Sam Johnson of Isle Royale and Duluth, and Norwegian Christian Holte of Grand Marais. The child of Edwin Holte and Ingeborg Johnson Holte, Karen grew up in Grand Marais. With her parents and grandfather she spent summers from age 1 until age 18 on Wrights Island off of Isle Royale, an experience she cherished.

After graduating from Cook County High School, Karen went on to the University of Minnesota to earn a degree in elementary education. She later earned a graduate degree in psychology from the University of Minnesota at Duluth, as well as other certifications. Karen taught in California, Duluth, on the range, and in Grand Marais, before continuing her career in social work. Karen and Bill Bally were married for almost 30 years. Together they modified the old Bally home, early on a boarding house, into a delightful B and B, operating it for several years.

Karen's interests and talents were wide ranging, but her artistic abilities were probably paramount. In the last months of her life she assisted the Cook County Historical Society in re-publishing her mother's book, "Ingeborg's Isle Royale", adding a chapter of her own experiences as a young child on Isle Royale.

Karen was preceded in death by her father in 1971, her mother in 1990 and husband Bill in 2010.

She is survived by cousins Sue Holte Dittus of Grand Marais; Douglas "Buzzy" Carlson of Duluth; and Hartley Holte of Davis, West Virginia as well as her life long friend Pat Lind Zankman.

Joint memorial services for Karen and Bill will be held 11 AM Saturday April 28, 2012 at the First Congregational Church in Grand Marais.