Karen Antony, age 61, of Porter, MN passed away on Thursday, December 28, 2023 surrounded by her family at her home near Porter. Mass of Christian Burial will be at 10:30am on Tuesday, January 2nd at St. Peter’s Catholic Church in Canby. Visitation will be held from 5 to 7pm on Monday, January 1st at the Houseman Funeral Home-Birk Chapel in Canby with a prayer service at 7pm and Rosary to follow. Visitation will resume one hour prior to the service at the church. Burial will follow at the St. Peter’s Catholic Cemetery in Canby. Houseman Funeral Home-Birk Chapel of Canby is entrusted with the arrangements.
Karen Ann Antony was born to Alvin and Eileen (Verschelde) Differding on November 30, 1962 in Marshall, MN. She was the little sister to five siblings. She was baptized at St. Edwards Catholic Church in Minneota, MN. She grew up on her family farm near St. Leo and attended grade school at St. Edwards Catholic School. She graduated from Minneota High School in 1981. She went on to study at Minnesota West Community and Technical College in Canby and began working at Shotts Corporation in 1983. She worked there for 40 years. Karen met her wonderful husband Leo through mutual friends and they married on October 20, 1984. Karen and Leo had two children, Shawna and Josh. They lived on Leo’s family farm by Porter, MN. Karen was a beautiful person inside and out. Her greatest pride and joy in life was her family; especially her grandchildren. She cared for them deeply. She always welcomed you with a hug and smile on her face. Karen enjoyed spending her time gardening, camping, playing cards, and most of all spending time with family. Karen remained faith filled, strong and brave throughout her courageous battle with ovarian cancer.
She passed away peacefully with her family by her side at her home on the morning of December 28, 2023. She was a loving wife, mother, grandmother, daughter and sister. She will be deeply missed by all.
Karen’s beautiful memory will live on through her loving husband, Leo; their two children: Shawna (Andy) Erickson and Joshua (Malorie) Antony; her grandchildren: Madyson, Sydney, and Harley Erickson and Kipton and Treyson Antony. Karen is also survived by her mother, Eileen Differding; mother-in-law, Dorothy Citrowske; her siblings: Jerry (Carol) Differding, Julie (John) Noyes, Greg (Janet) Differding, Pam Roles, and Kathy (Doug) Sik; siblings-in-law: Vi (Rod) VanDeViere, Darlene (Laurie) Antony, Bernie (Keith) Wisniewski, Wally (Sandy) Antony, Margaret (Ron) Singsaas, and Nancy (Brian) Hanson; and brother-in-law, Darwin Schlapkohl. She also leaves behind many aunts, uncles, cousins, nieces and nephews. She was greeted in Heaven by her father, Alvin Differding; nephews, Jeremy Roles, Brad Noyes and Christopher Hennen; great niece, Ivy Woehlhaff; her paternal and maternal grandparents, and many special family and friends.