*Please note there is a link to the Church's Youtube Channel at the bottom of the obituary to watch Karen's service*

Karyn Nathan died on May 11, 2024 at Golden Horizons in Sandstone.  She was 81 years old.

Karyn Marie Berger, the daughter of Herb and Ann Berger, was born August 29, 1942 in Chicago, Illinois.

Karyn lived in Chicago, Illinois for approximately two years before moving to the family farm east of Sandstone, MN. Karyn grew up working on the farm, where her parents instilled in her, strong Christian values, a commitment to hard work, and above all a desire to serve the Lord Jesus Christ.

Karyn received her education at Sandstone High School. Karyn was a very gifted musician, playing both the guitar and piano, but her real passion was for the piano. Karyn graduated with Honors on June 3, 1960. Karyn attended college at Northwestern College of St. Paul. While in college, Karyn worked several part-time jobs, including a job at Blue Shield (soon to become Blue Cross Blue Shield), running the teletype and flex writer machines, eventually landing a full-time accounting job at Northwestern Bell in the payroll department. While attending college she would meet Robert (Bob) Nathan, who was studying to go into the ministry. Bob and Karyn were married on June 26, 1965, at Sandstone Evangelical Free Church. The couple moved to Clearwater, FL for 3 years as Bob completed his pastoral training at Trinity Theological Seminary.

Karyn's next chapter in life was as the devoted wife of an ordained Evangelical Free Church pastor. Karyn played piano for each church they served. Karyn also supported Bob by organizing Bible studies, Vacation Bible Schools and Christmas programs, and supporting all aspects of Bob's ministry as he pastored churches in Minnesota, Iowa, and North Dakota. Karyn taught piano lessons for 26 years, in addition to working at H&R Block during tax season. Karyn's favorite job for 18 years was as a Teacher's Aide and later Administrative Assistant to the Elementary Principal at Leeds Elementary School in Leeds, North Dakota.

Karyn had many interests, but she loved books, shoes, elephants, pictures, coffee, Christmas, family history, crafting, jewelry, playing the piano, and reading the Bible, but most of all Karyn loved the Lord Jesus Christ. Karyn was a prolific reader—she read 1000s of books. Karyn was always giving a book or suggesting a book that might provide someone encouragement or direction. Karyn delighted in making crafts, sometimes selling the articles she made, including a wide variety of chocolates and hard candies, at regional crafts shows in North Dakota. Karyn delighted in her 3 boys, always proud to share how the boys were doing and what they were accomplishing. Karyn was always involved in churches she attended. After moving to Sandstone, Minnesota, Karyn was an active in the Sandstone Evangelical Free Church, attending Sunday services, Sunday School, Thursday prayer meetings, Friday Bible Study, and Awana.

Karyn is survived by three sons, Andrew and his wife, Fara (Hillsboro, ND), Christopher and his wife, Kathy (Sandstone, MN), and Timothy (Devils Lake, ND); four grandchildren, Jerod Nathan, Adah Nathan, Caleb Nathan, and David Nathan; a sister Betty Ann (Shelly) Berger (San Diego, CA), sister-in-law Mary Berger (Fergus Falls, MN), brother Lauritz Berger (Purnell, OK); many nieces, nephews, and other relatives and friends. Karyn was preceded in death by her husband Robert Nathan, her father Herbert Berger, her mother Ann (Olson) Berger, and her brother Nathan Berger.

Funeral services will be held at 11:00 A.M. on Saturday, May 18, 2024 at the Sandstone Evangelical Free Church with Rev. Chris Cundiff officiating.  Visitation will be from 10-11 A.M.at the church.  Burial will be at Danforth Cemetery.  Casketbearers are Andrew Nathan, Chris Nathan, Timothy Nathan, Jerod Nathan, Adah Nathan and Caleb Nathan.  Honorary casketbearer is David Nathan.

Arrangements by Methven Funeral and Cremation Services.

https://youtube.com/@sandstoneevangelicalfreech2374?si=sBU8XS4XKUZ--82g