Karen Mae Berard

     Karen Mae Berard, 68, Surrey, ND, formerly of Cavalier, ND, passed away Friday, July 26, 2019, in her home. Prayer Service will be held Thursday, August 8, 2019 at 10:30 a.m. at the St. Brigid's Catholic Church, Cavalier, ND,  followed by burial at the Cavalier Cemetery.

     Karen was born May 8, 1951 in Drayton, ND to Donald and Shirley (Johnson) Jackson. She grew up in Cavalier, ND where she graduated in 1969.

     On April 18, 1970, she married Larry Berard and they lived in Neche, ND for a short period before moving to the Minot, ND where they spent a couple years before buying a home and moving to Surrey, ND in 1975.

     Karen ran a home daycare for many years where she was able to provide love and affection to many children and their families. She kept in touch with many of them on a regular basis in the years following. As her daycare family grew and moved on, she began working at Hancock Fabrics. Her employment at Hancock Fabrics served and fed another passion of hers, sewing. She worked at Hancock Fabrics for about 10 years before taking employment at Wal-Mart. She worked at Wal-Mart from 2004 to 2013. In 2013 she chose to take early retirement to spend more time with another passion of hers, her grandchildren.

     Anyone who knew Karen would know that she was always working on a sewing project. There was always a quilt in the works, costume or clothing for a grandchild or any child, wedding/prom dress alterations, personalized towels for the girls’ basketball teams or simply putting a patch on a snowmobile cover. Rarely could you get her to accept compensation for her efforts. She did beautiful work and loved doing it, up all hours of the night working on a sewing project was her “Karen” time. She was also an avid “Betty Boop” collector. A character she was fond of from early in her childhood.

     Spending time with her grandchildren though was second to none. Family time and fishing at the cabin in Van Hook, sleepovers at Grandma’s house, summer trip to the Black Hills, camping at Icelandic State Park, family reunion in MN or simply having everyone over for dinner or a BBQ. This was all Grandma’s quality time. Christmas was an especially fond time for her as her own eyes would light up with joy at the kids’ reactions to opening their gifts on Christmas Eve. Giving gave her so much joy.

     She had a knack for striking up a conversation with anyone and getting to know them. This ability served her well while working in retail but also served in making her many acquaintances and friendships over the years.

     Karen was a wonderful Wife, Mother, Grandmother and Friend. She will be deeply missed!

     Surviving family includes: Husband - Larry Berard, Surrey, ND: Children: Robby (Marianne) Berard, Burlington, ND and Jeremy Berard, Surrey;  Grandchildren: Leah, Krysta, Paige and Colton; Siblings: Brother, Gary (Ruth) Jackson, Hoople, ND, Sister – Linda (John) Horgan, Mesa, AZ and Sister, Jackie (Tom) Douville, Neche, ND; Terry Brown,  Walhalla, ND; and Many Nieces, Nephews, Great-Nieces and Great-Nephews.

     She was preceded in death by: parents: Donald and Shirley (Johnson) Jackson; Sister, Jeri Brown and Niece, Jennifer Horgan