Karen Kay Krehbiel

Beloved mother and friend, Karen Kay Krehbiel (Kolda) of Stillwater, Oklahoma, passed away peacefully March 26th, 2024, after losing her long battle with Congestive Heart Failure at the age of 67.
  
 Karen was told she might have three years with her condition but fought every day to make it another 12 long years to enjoy life with her family and friends. This strong will to live allowed her the chance to see her three grandchildren be born and create lasting memories that will impact their lives forever.
  
 Karen was born May 7th, 1956, in Yankton, South Dakota to Eugene E. Kolda and Deanna Vynnette (Catton) Kolda. She grew up on a small farm in Lesterville, South Dakota. After losing her dad at the age of 12, her mom was left to raise Karen along with her two younger sisters, Debbie and Cheryl. Deanna married Dewayne King in 1987. He became a great father figure to them and a wonderful grandpa to all their kids until he passed in 2009.  
  
 Karen graduated from Scotland High School in South Dakota in 1975 and married Randall Auch. They both joined the army and were stationed in Ludwigsburg, Germany. Karen trained as an Operating Room Technician until honorably discharged in 1977 receiving the National Defense Service Medal. Their first daughter April was born while in Germany, then later moved back to the States where their son Seth was born in Wisconsin. Randy and Karen would end their marriage but always remained good friends.
  
 After divorcing, Karen, April and Seth moved to Woodward, Oklahoma where she met Steve Krehbiel. They were married on October 21st, 1985 and shortly after moved to Stillwater, Oklahoma where their daughter Katie was born. She remained in Stillwater, Oklahoma where she raised all three of her children. Karen and Steve stayed married until his death in September 2016.
  
 Karen was a cosmetologist most of her adult life, at one time owning her own business, “Another Look”. After deciding having her own business was not what she wanted, she found Salon Santa Fe where she met her two best friends, Ronda Meyers and Charla Branstetter, who were by her side until the end.
  
 She loved her three children with her whole heart and had a unique relationship with each one. She celebrated Seth "the bulldozer" Auch and all of his touchdowns; she loved helping Katie get ready for dance recitals, prom, and her wedding; and she got to pass on her love of cooking and baking and decorating to April. She was well known for hosting the most fun parties and cooking the best food. Karen especially loved Christmas and snowmen. Her and the kids loved making Christmas cookies. Later in life, she enjoyed spending time with her grandchildren, Randall, Kaytlin and Brooklyn.
  
 Karen is survived by her mother, Deanna King; two sisters Debbie (Rick) Machacek and Cheryl (Darin) Greaham: two daughters, Katie (Matt) Hudson, April Auch (Tyler Hedrick); one son, Seth Auch (Jamie Lawson); three grandchildren, Randall Auch, Kaytlin and Brooklyn Hudson; and her nieces, Rikki (Toben) Townsend and Miranda Machacek; her in-laws, Daryl (Kathy) Krehbiel and Rick (Debbie) Krehbiel; and several nieces and nephews.  
  
 We would like to thank the Integris Health Heart LVAD team; Dr. Doug Horstmanshof, M.D. and Rickie Farar. We will always be grateful for the care and compassion you gave Karen.
  
 A visitation will be held from 12 p.m - 7 p.m. Monday, April 1, 2024, at Dighton Marler Funeral Home in Stillwater, Oklahoma. Her family will be there between 5 p.m. - 7 p.m.
  
 Funeral service will be held at 10 a.m., Tuesday April 2, 2024, at St. Francis Xavier Catholic Church in Stillwater, Oklahoma.