MARTHA KARPEN

Martha “Marty” Daphne Karpen, formerly of Milaca and North Branch, passed away at Norbella Assisted Living in Centerville, MN on Wednesday, July 24, 2024. She was 87 years old.

Martha, lovingly known as Marty, was born on June 18, 1937, in Dalbo, Minnesota to Axel W. and Minne M. (Sandell) Benson.  She attended country school, later graduating from Princeton High School.

Martha met Joseph N. Karpen in 1955 at Ann Lake and they married on November 3, 1956, in Ogilvie. To this union seven children were born.  Marty and Joe lived in Rochester before moving to Blaine where they lived and raised their family from 1958-1979. In November of 1979, they purchased Karpen’s Sunset Bay Resort on Lake Mille Lacs. Joe and Marty, along with their family, ran the resort until 2004 when they sold it and moved to Milaca.  After Joe’s death in 2008, Marty eventually moved to North Branch in 2013.

Marty enjoyed keeping busy with puzzles, cross stitch and embroidery, eating chocolate, and collecting Precious Moments figurines.  An avid Vikings and Twins Fan, she enjoyed finding special memorabilia for her favorite teams and players.  Most of all, Marty loved her family and the precious time spent with her grandchildren and their growing families.  She will be dearly missed.

She was preceded in death by her parents; husband Joe; infant son Timothy; daughter Deborah; brothers, infant Kenneth and Robert (Shirley) Benson.

Marty is survived by children Michael (Francie), Julie (Rich) Robinson, Kevin (Debbie), Keith, and Ross (Sandy); brother Richard (Grace) Benson; 25 grandchildren and many great grandchildren and great-great grandchildren, other relatives and friends.

A Funeral Service will be held 11:00 a.m. on Monday, July  29, 2024 at the Hamilton Funeral Homes – Akkerman Chapel in Mora.

Visitation will be held 1 hour prior to the service at the funeral home from 10:00-11:00 am.

Interment will be at Oakwood Cemetery in Mora.

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