Karen C. Kemp

Karen C. Kemp, age 79, formerly of Prior Lake, MN, passed away on March 2, 2025, at BeeHive Memory Care in Lakeville, MN.

A Celebration of Life will be held on Friday, March 14, 2025, at 11:00 AM with a time of gathering from 9:00 - 10:50 AM, with a lunch to follow at Ballard-Sunder Funeral & Cremation, 833 Marschall Road, Shakopee, MN. The family invites family and friends to join them at the cemetery for a final blessing at 2:30 pm, at St. Michael Catholic Cemetery in Prior Lake.

Karen Catherine was born on May 10th, 1945 to Raymond and Odelia (Hennen) O’Loughlin. She was the sixth of seven children that were raised on the family farm in Shakopee, MN. Growing up on the farm instilled in her a true love of animals. Her younger sister, Kathy, shared how they use to have pet ducks that they would sew clothes for and how Karen would teach school lessons to the cows.

During her high school years in Shakopee, Karen loved being with her friends at social events. Out with her sister roller skating in Chaska is where she met Larry Borka at the age of 15. After a loving courtship, they married in July of 1965 and from this union had four children, Lori, Shelly, Julie and Brian. As a family, they spent time camping, fishing, attending parades and events at town festivals. Many weekends were spent at the trailer owned by Larry’s parents. Many memories were made with the Klehr and Hennes families.

Working on the farm also taught Karen a very strong work ethic. Karen worked for many years at Control Data before transitioning to a position as a hotel banquet waitress. She worked weddings and coffee breaks and often recruited family members, including sisters and daughters, to join her at the many hotels where she worked. After retiring from waitressing, she enjoyed working in the lunch room at a neighboring school.

In the early 90’s Karen and Larry parted ways. She developed a strong passion for country line dancing with friends. While out dancing one night, she caught the eye of a handsome man named Jim Kemp. It was true love and they married on March 6, 1999, in Maplewood, MN. Karen and Jim enjoyed traveling, riding motorcycle and cruising in their Jeep with their dog Toby on Karen’s lap. They enjoyed many happy years together, and it was very heartbreaking for her to lose him to cancer in 2017.

Karen loved and was very proud of her ten grandchildren. She enjoyed attending their sporting events and dance recitals. Her kind and gentle spirit made her a very loving grandma. All of them have very fond memories of Grandma Karen and her yummy special K bars.

Diagnosed with dementia in 2020, Karen moved into memory care in Lakeville. Family could visit her and know she had excellent care. Everyone who knew her said she was the kindest and sweetest person. She knew how to have fun and was always up to going to a party. She will be truly missed by many.

Forever loved, Karen will remain in the hearts of her children, Lori (Tom) Lake, Shelly (Mitch) Lannon, Julie (Chris) Semeizer, Brian (Jessica) Borka; grandchildren, Hailey, Lauren, Kelly, Meghan, Maria, Lexi, Allie, Brynn, Chloe, Jaxson; sisters, Lois (Pat) Madden, Kathy Brandel; sisters-in-law, Mary Ann O'Loughlin, Shirley O'Loughlin; other loving relatives and friends.

Greeting Karen with open arms in Heaven is her husband, Jim Kemp; former husband, Larry Borka; parents, Raymond and Odelia O'Loughlin; siblings, John O'Loughlin, Mary Jane (Larry) Kes, Donny O'Loughlin, Joann (Jim) Luce, and brother-in-law, John Brandel.

Ballard-Sunder Funeral & Cremation proudly served and cared for the Kemp family.