January 10, 1944 - April 30, 2025
Kirchoff, Karen Lou (Hauch), age 81, formerly of Eden Prairie, passed away peacefully into the arms of her Lord and Savior Jesus Christ surrounded by her family on April 30th, 2025.
She is survived by her children Paul (Nancy) Kirchoff of Belton, TX; Kary (Mark) Kruger of Castle Pines, CO; Jay (Denisa) Kirchoff of San Diego, CA; Kristy Durand (Mike Mathwig) of Eden Prairie, MN; and Tiffany (Jeff) Egan of Bloomington, MN. Karen was blessed with 14 Grandchildren and 4 Great-Grandchildren. They were a great joy to her. She is preceded in death by her husband, Gary Kirchoff; her parents, Louis and Angie Hauch; and her brother, Dennis Hauch.
Karen was a devoted wife, mother, grandmother, great-grandmother, daughter and friend. She was passionate about politics and volunteered for causes that touched her life. Her faith was important to her and she frequently attended bible studies and gatherings to enrich her spiritual life and stay active socially.
Karen was born on January 10th, 1944 and raised in Mankato, MN. She attended Mankato High School and Mankato State University where she studied Education. She met and fell in love with Gary Kirchoff at MSU, and she and Gary were married in June of 1965. Karen began teaching as a Special Education teacher. The following year Karen and Gary started their family. They were married for 35 years and raised five children together in different parts of the United States including Minnesota, California, and Connecticut. Gary passed away at age 55 in 2000 and Karen surrounded herself with her faith community and friends in Eden Prairie, MN.
Karen was a “Jane of many trades.” She worked part-time around her active family over the years in several roles including teacher, high school danceline instructor, realtor, wellness consultant, yoga instructor, and massage therapist. She served on The Pomerado Health Care Systems Board in Poway, CA and started a non-profit supporting Christian singles in transition in the early 2000's.
Karen will be remembered by her quick wit, sense of humor and style, outgoing nature and thoughtfulness.
The family would like to extend a heartfelt thank you to Karen’s special friend, Ted Hampson; family friend and caregiver, Julie Redmond; the staff at Friendship Village in Bloomington; the staff at English Rose Suites in Edina and Park Nicollet Hospice.
Donations to honor Karen may be made to Minnesota Citizens Concerned for Life (MCCL), Preborn! or Pro-Life Action Ministries.
Celebration of Life
Saturday, September 20, 2025
11:00AM
Visitation 1 hour prior
Grace Church - Chapel
9301 Eden Prairie Road
Eden Prairie, MN 55347
A luncheon will follow the service.
What a pleasure it was to know Karen! She was full of life and was passionate about her beliefs. I had the pleasure of getting to know her in our Eden Prairie neighborhood where we took walks and had talks about our beliefs in Jesus ; our views of our country and how the real estate market was doing! I it was a privilege to know her and her family! She was a dynamic person who made a difference in our world! She will be missed!
So sorry for your loss, keeping you and your family in my thoughts. Here for you during this difficult time.
My condolences to Karen’s family . We were sister in laws so many years ago. She was a wonderful caring person ! I have so many special memories of the times we shared with her and Gary !
A friend just sent me a message that Karen passed away… I am so sad.. We worked together on some political campaigns and had fun doing it.. She was a good person and made the most out of life.. She missed her husband deeply, and we talked about it quite often. I wished I had taken the time to go and see her but thought I had still time to do it.. My husband has been ill so time was not always there to do what I should have done… Now feel terrible about it. I send my prayers to her family and know you had a good lady to lead you all….