The world lost a beautiful presence with the passing of Karin Marie (Olson) Treat on December 11, 2021 in Bemidji, Minnesota.
Karin was born in Littlefork, Minnesota to Alice and Arnold Olson on April 2, 1948. She graduated from high school there and went on to graduate from nursing school. Nursing was a dream of hers and became her lifelong career. She was a compassionate and excellent caregiver.
Karin married her high school sweetheart, Russ Treat, in 1969 and they were each other’s soul mate for 52 years. They lived in many regions of the country while raising their daughters. Ultimately they ended up back home in northern Minnesota to retire and be close to family. Karin’s devotion to Russ was incomparable. They were together as much as possible and shared a deep and loving relationship.
Karin was the loving mother of Stephanie Treat (Greg Talmo), Erika Anderson (Corey) and Misha Treat. She was grandmother to Elizabeth, Nevin, Eli and Tati. Along with her husband, she is also survived by her sister Arlene Petschel and nephews Jeffrey and Eddie and their families. The extended Treat Family loved her and honored her as a loving sister, welcoming hostess and the kindest of friends.
She was preceded in death by her parents, a brother-in-law, her mother-in-law and father-in -law and a nephew.
Karin loved all creatures ranging from their family pets to the wildlife surrounding her home and especially loved watching the birds out her windows. She loved it when they could be near by the ocean, but also loved living in the country where she enjoyed horseback riding, raising flowers and reading her beloved books outside in the fresh air.
She was a kind, sweet and gentle person who never asked for anything for herself but relished family and the simple things of life. Her memory will long live on and she leaves behind a void that can never be filled by the many people who knew and loved her.
Karin was cremated and a private memorial will take place in their home on the banks of the Big Fork River.
Donations in her memory can be made to the Lupus Foundation of America at lupus.org.
