Karen Fryer

The family of Karen Ruth Fryer (Pielmeier), 63, of Rochester, MN is deeply saddened to announce her passing on Friday, July 24, 2020 at St. Mary's Hospital in Rochester. Karen was diagnosed with Lynch Syndrome and survived multiple cancers throughout her adult life but died from complications of her newly diagnosed terminal cancers. She was always positive and so full of life, never complaining of her trials and always filling her life with joy and adventure. Karen was born on October 30, 1956 to Ruth & Melvin Pielmeier in Winona, MN. She graduated in 1975 from Luther High School in Onalaska, WI, and received her nursing degrees in Rochester. She began her career as an OR nurse at Gunderson Lutheran in La Crosse, and then as the surgical nurse manager at Olmsted Medical Center. She joined Mayo Clinic in the 1990's and currently was a quality specialist for the pediatric ICU doing data research. She enjoyed learning and sharing her wealth of knowledge. Karen & Scott Fryer were married on May 2, 1992, and later divorced. Her greatest joy was being blessed with her son, Alec, through adoption on March 18, 2001, which gave Karen a new purpose and dedication in her life. Alec is Karen's most treasured pride and joy. She raised an independent, talented, intelligent and kindhearted young man who will carry on her legacy of kindness, knowledge, honesty, hard work and respect. As a young girl, Karen loved horses and made her dream come true by having her own and taking many riding trips with her horse & saddle club friends. She also joined a ski club and traveled with friends on many ski trips. Karen was compassionate, loving, empathetic, determined, hardworking, smart and selfless. She was an amazing daughter, sister, mother and friend ... always thinking of others before herself even during her most challenging medical issues. Karen had a special bond with her sisters and mother. They cherished time together during their annual trips to Tucson, their girls' weekends, game nights and celebrations with family. She had a wonderful group of close friends who shared her love of life. She enjoyed playing piano, fiddle and ukulele, running, biking, water and snow skiing, horseback riding, hunting, antiquing, volunteering, cooking, gardening, landscaping and renovating her homes. There was never a project that she couldn't tackle. Her latest accomplishment was designing and building her dream home with Alec and was just finishing her landscaping projects with plans to retire in September. Our God had other plans. She is now pain free and celebrating with Jesus and her father, Melvin, who also recently passed and for whom she lovingly managed care for, along with her stepmother, for many years prior to his death. Karen is survived by her son, Alec Fryer of Rochester/Minneapolis; mother, Ruth (Jerry) Dalleska of Winona, MN; sisters, Karla (Bernie) Kennedy of Holmen, WI, and Kristi Peil (John) Meier of Lewiston, MN; brother, Kevin Pielmeier of San Antonio, TX; nieces & nephews, Christian, Collin, Benjamin & Kaitlyn Kennedy; Jake & Josh Peil; and Nyah Pielmeier; her stepmother, Ilse Pielmeier; stepsister, Eva (Doug) Pampuch and their children, John, Anna, & Eric of Winona; and stepbrother, Eric Pampuch of St. Augustine, FL. She is also survived by aunts, uncles and cousins as well as her dear friends, Ruth Ann, Kari, Grace, Peggy, Deb, Karen, Cari, Cheryl, Claire & Laurie. Preceding her in death was her father, Melvin, her grandparents, two uncles and a nephew. A private service and celebration of Karen's life with family and close friends will be held at a later date. Words of friendship, sympathy and remembrance may be given at www.ranfranzandvinefh.com.