Karon M. Kolles

Karon Marie Kolles (nee Weber) age 70 of Otsego, Minnesota passed away on August 8, 2025 surrounded by her family.

She was born on November 15, 1954 to Gilbert and LaVerne Weber in Minneapolis, MN.

Karon’s gentle, kindhearted nature and thoughtfulness were experienced by all who knew and loved her. 

She graduated from Park Center High School and then attended the University of Minnesota.  Karon was highly regarded among her colleagues as a dedicated and hard-working paralegal in her 30 years at Babcock Neilson Mannella Law Firm in Anoka.

On February 3, 1979 she married Jim Kolles at St. Alphonsus Catholic Church in Brooklyn Center. She and Jim raised their three children, Brent, Rochelle, and Janelle, on their family farm in Otsego. She was a devoted and incredibly caring wife, mother and grandmother. Her encouragement and support were unwavering. Her sons-in-law, Alex and Alwyn, were welcomed to the family as her own. Family gatherings for Karon’s homemade meals at the farm are cherished memories. The light in Karon’s eyes and smile shined brightest when spending time with her four adored grandchildren: Adelynn, Ellie, Leo, and Fletcher.

From a young age, Karon displayed a natural talent for playing guitar. She played in the St. Alphonsus choir as a teenager and later became a devoted member of St. Andrew Catholic Church and its adult choir. Karon was rarely without her camera, capturing treasured moments of the people and places she loved most. She was an avid gardener. She loved planting flowers and working alongside Gilbert and LaVerne to care for the vegetable garden and raspberry patch. It brought her great happiness to share the very best of its harvest with family and friends.

Karon was preceded in death by her parents Gilbert and LaVerne Weber, Jim’s parents Vernon and Anita Kolles, Baby Hengel, and many beloved aunts and uncles.

She is survived by her loving husband Jim; children Brent Kolles, Rochelle (Alwyn) Fernandes, and Janelle (Alex) Hengel; grandchildren Adelynn, Ellie, Leo, and Fletcher; siblings Ron (Terri) Weber, Mark (Lisa) Weber, sisters-in-law Karen (David) Gilgenbach, Marlys Kolles, Julene (Greg) Brant, brothers-in-law Paul (Colleen) Kolles, Doug (Tammy) Kolles, Joel (Jeaneen) Kolles, Glen (Shawna) Kolles, and many dearly loved nieces, nephews, great-nieces, great-nephews, aunts, and cousins.

The family would like to express their heartfelt appreciation to Melissa, Lori, and Brooke for the endearing care they gave to Karon.

A Mass of Christian Burial will be held on Friday, August 22, 2025 at 11:00AM at St. Andrew Catholic Church (566 4th St NW, Elk River) with visitation one-hour prior. Visitation will be from 4:00-7:00PM on Thursday, Aug. 21, 2025 at St. Andrew Catholic Church. 

Interment St. Andrew’s Parish Cemetery

Memorials in Karon’s honor will be donated by the family to the Franciscan Sisters of Little Falls as well as St. Andrew Catholic School.

Arrangements by Carlson-Lillemoen Funeral Home 763-689-2244

Online condolences can be shared at www.carlsonlillemoen.com

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