Evelyn Karppinen

Evelyn Joyce (Bymoen) Karppinen was born on April 29, 1947, in New Rockford, ND.  She passed away in her home under hospice care on June 1, 2023, with her family by her side, at age 76. 

Evelyn lived many places growing up, including on the family farm in Sheyenne ND, traveling in a small trailer while her dad worked road construction in the ND/SD area, finally settling in Sabin, MN, in 1953.  She attended Moorhead High School and graduated in 1965.  She married Anthony Karppinen on May 6, 1967, at Trinity Lutheran Church, Sabin, MN.  They resided in Dilworth until relocating to Keflavik, Iceland, where Anthony was stationed on a NATO base while in the US Navy. 

They had many adventures traveling around Europe when he was on shore leave before relocating to Florida.  After his military service concluded, they returned back to Sabin in 1972, bought five acres of farmland and built their own home there themselves where they lived for many years.  They moved north of Moorhead in 2013.

She is survived by her husband of 56 years, Anthony; daughter, Kathleen (Darin) Zins and granddaughter, Emily Rose of Lisbon, ND; German Shepherd, Sasha and rescue ragdoll cat, Gracie, who was her constant companion. 

She was preceded in death by her father, Arnold Bymoen; mother, Josephine (Anderson) Bymoen; sister, Delores Krabbenhoft; and brother, Darrel Bymoen.

Evelyn loved to garden.  In Sabin, she had two koi ponds and more flower beds than one could imagine.   Her favorite flowers are blue delphinium, purple iris and she always had bright red geraniums in the front of the house.  In the wintertime, she would spend her free time quilting or crocheting afghans to share with people who are special to her.  For a time, she made and donated prayer shawls for those who needed comfort and healing for Trinity Lutheran Church in Sabin.  In her younger years, she played accordion in area bands.  She and her sister used to play together at family holidays to the joy of the rest of us, as music has always been a big part of her life.

Evelyn had a love for her family like no other.  Family was important to her, especially her granddaughter, Emily. Nana would stop everything just to spend quality time with Emily to include pedicures, flower shopping and of course ice cream with Emily and Boppa at the Moorhead Dairy Queen.  She never missed a dance recital or any special event that involved her granddaughter.  The joy and love she brought to our lives will never be forgotten.

Visitation for Evelyn will be Thursday, June 8, 2023, from 5 – 7 PM, with a time of sharing at 6:30 PM, in Korsmo Funeral and Cremation Service, Moorhead.  Her Celebration of Life service will be Friday, June 9, 2023, at 11 AM, in Korsmo Funeral and Cremation Service.  Burial will take place at 2 PM in Fargo National Cemetery, Harwood, ND.