Karen Glover
Dr. Karen Marie Glover, 36, of West Fargo, ND died November 27, 2019 at Sanford Hospital in Fargo. She passed on peacefully, surrounded by those that loved her, and by the many who sent thoughts and prayers from afar.
Karen was born on November 4, 1983 to Ken and Carol Preskey at St. Alexius Medical Center in Bismarck. She experienced many beautiful memories with her family, such as making homemade ice cream every Christmas and playing cards and board games. She was the most incredible role model to her three sisters and was always willing to share her adventures, worldly insight, achievements, and knowledge. She attended Dorothy Moses Elementary, Wachter Middle School, and Bismarck High. She was active in band, science olympiad, speech, debate, and drama club. She graduated in 2002 with high honors.
She attended North Dakota State University, where she got degrees in Biotechnology and Spanish, with minors in Chemistry and Microbiology. Karen discovered a lifelong wanderlust while studying a semester abroad in Argentina. After graduating, Karen joined the Peace Corps and served two years in Ethiopia, educating women on HIV/AIDS prevention and treatment. Her travels in school and Peace Corps led her to Brazil, Peru, Tanzania, Kenya, and Italy, and she made lifelong friends everywhere she went.
Upon returning to North Dakota, Karen worked in the biotech field, became a part-time model, and short-film actress. She caught the eye of the love of her life, Josh Glover, and the two were married in July 2013 before moving into a home in West Fargo. Driven to further her education, Karen embarked on a journey in post-graduate studies at NDSU. She started out pursuing a Master's Degree, but Karen's indomitable spirit compelled her to achieve a PhD in Biochemistry in the spring of 2018. She started work as a Research & Development Scientist at Aldevron in Fargo in July 2018.
Josh and Karen's humor and common interests made them a perfect match. They had two beautiful daughters, Indiana Carolynn in March 2017 and Elliott Evelyn in October 2018. Josh and Karen enjoyed tabletop games, charity work, and sports. Karen was a founding member of Nerd Nite Fargo, as she was passionate about learning and disseminating knowledge.
In April of 2019, Karen was diagnosed with stage 4 colon cancer. Karen fought hard to the end, but it was never a fair fight. She got snuck up on, and then when she thought it was under control, the cancer returned, spreading aggressively. As her health declined, she never questioned, "Why me?". She stayed ever-positive, sharing her strength and optimism with those she loved.
Karen is survived by her loving husband, Josh of West Fargo, the lights of her life, daughters Indy and Ellie, her parents, Ken and Carol of Bismarck, her maternal grandfather Ted Wagner of Glen Ullin, her sisters Jennifer (Scott) Bina, RaeAnn (fiancé Cody Hill) Preskey, and Nikki (Kaleb) Klein, who all live in Bismarck. She delighted in her nieces and nephews Lyndon and Corbin Bina and Hartley Marie Klein as well as the cavalcade of family she acquired through marriage to Josh. She is remembered by friends around the world, and will always be a member of The Choices. She was preceded in death by her maternal grandmother, Ella Wagner, and paternal grandparents, Rod and Evelyn Preskey.
Visitation will be from 5-7 p.m., with a prayer service at 7 p.m., Wednesday, Dec. 4, at Boulger Funeral Home in Fargo. Visitation will continue from 10-11 a.m., followed by a funeral Mass at 11 a.m., Thursday, Dec. 5, at Blessed Sacrament Catholic Church in West Fargo.
In lieu of flowers, please consider a memorial donation to be put in a trust for educational needs of her daughters.
View current weather.
Memories Timeline
Guestbook
Sign the Guestbook, Light a Candle
What a beautiful tribute to an amazing young woman who lived a life of service to others, combined with an insatiable passion for learning. And what an incredible list of pursuits and accomplishments in her short life. Though I’m just a friend, I am very proud of Karen, and of Ken and Carol for having raised such a giving, caring, and thoughtful daughter. I am so deeply sorry, and have been thinking of you all constantly.
Josh and Family,
Our deepest condolences during this very difficult time. Our prayers and thoughts are with you all. May Almighty God bring you peace and comfort for now and the days ahead. Cling to The Lord, friends and family and your memories !!
Words aren’t enough. Thinking of you and your littles. We hope you find peace and comfort while you grieve.
My very deepest condolences to the Preskey family and Glover family. I pray God wraps his loving arms around each of you and gives you the strength to work through such a loss. Praying for you all.
So sorry for your loss. She was beautiful.
Preskey Glover Families:
My heart feels your sadness. I am so sorry for your loss. I hope your faith and loved ones help your healing.
May God’s loving presence bring comfort to you. May memories console you and help see you through. We remember Karen as a young child living next door to us and our daughter babysitting the girls. She was always a delight and caring child of God. Although no words of sympathy can ease the loss you bear – may God be your comfort in this time of sorrow.
Tim and Linda Wanner
Reno, NV
We are deeply saddened hearing of the loss of Karen. Our thoughts and prayers are with you during this sad time. Bruce and Shelly Abernathey
Karen’s light will continue to shine brightly. Our thoughts and prayers are with you.
Ken and Carol, we are so sorry for the loss of Karen. I am so glad that we were able to know her and watch her grow into the the accomplished, beautiful and caring woman she became. Such a beautiful soul lost too soon. Our deepest sympathy.
Sorry for your loss, Josh. I wish I could have met Karen, it sounds like she made a wonderful impact on the lives of others. Sharon Rehorst, Doug Hamaker’s sister. God be with you all.
Ken, Carol and all the family of this amazing woman. I remember the day Carol brought her to our house in Bismarck and was so proud. I too was a young mother as our girls were just one month apart and still have the pictures we took of our two beautiful daughters. I have been thinking of you everyday and praying that God will keep his arms around you all and you will find peace. Much Love, Margo
Carol, Ken, and your beautiful family – Please know you are all in our thoughts and prayers!! Karen was a beautiful young woman!! She has touched the lives of many people!!
Josh, your two beautiful girls, and the Glover family, please know you have many thoughts and prayers for you all!! May God bless you all!!
Becky Andes
Karen was a gift wherever she went. Her style was to be generous in everything she did – time, talents, personality, volunteering, patience and love. She made such a difference to so many in her short time here, and I am a better person to have known her.
Ken, Carol, Josh and Family
We are so sorry to hear about your loss of a beautiful daughter, wife, mother, sibling and friend. We did not know Karen, but from the tribute, she was a Beautiful Angel to so many and she will shine down from Heaven on all of you. Our thoughts and prayers are with you all. Let God take you all by the hand and guide you through this difficult time. Deepest Sympathies, Kevin and Jule Holzer
Dear Josh, Carol and Ken and family, My prayerful sympathy! Karen was truly a remarkable young woman! Her example of loving and gentle service for the good of others will live on in the lives of those she loved, knew and served. She may not have asked, “Why me?” but I am tempted to ask that question! May God who created and loved her now welcome her to new life where she rejoices forever.
Sincerely with prayers and love, Sister Susan Lardy
Reading through the paper searching for our mom/grandma’s obituary we stumbled upon sweet Karen’s obituary and were deeply touched. We are sure everybody in her vicinity was intensely proud of her travels, work and the strength of character and kindness that shines through the obituary. If we could receive information about how to donate money to her daughters trust fund we would gladly give a donation.
Ken and Carol, there are no words to express our sadness for you and your family. What a beautiful and amazing woman that had to go too soon. May all your precious memories keep Karen alive in your days ahead until you can be together again one day. With love, Cathy & Arnie
I was privileged to have Karen as my student at BHS when she was already an outstanding young woman. Conscientious, cheerful, well-rounded, intelligent, and kind are a few words that come to mind as I think of her, and it is evident that she continued to exhibit these characteristics throughout her too-short life. I am deeply saddened to hear of her passing and will keep her and her family in my prayers. May God grant eternal rest to Karen and comfort those who love her.
Family and friends of Karen,
The world has lost a wonderful person and although Karen may not have asked, why me-we all ask, why her? We must trust in God’s plan even when it is a challenge. May the impact Karen had on everyone’s life whom she touched remain with them throughout their lifetimes. She achieved so much in so little time.
So very sorry for your loss. May God give you peace. Hal and Stella Phoenix
To the family of Ken Preskey we are so very sorry to hear of the loss of Karen. Our thoughts and prayers are with you during this difficult time. We hope you find some peace in the beautiful memories of your loved one. Again we are very sorry.
-Joe Schonert and family-
So very sorry. Our thoughts and prayers go out to Ken, Carol and families. Hoping you find comfort through your faith and friends.
I didn’t know Karen well. I met her through a classmate at NDSU and she became my Mary Kay consultant. From the moment I met her I knew she was a special young woman with a kind heart. I wish her family peace through this time of grief. God Bless You!
I am so very sorry to hear of the loss of your beautiful wife, mother, daughter and sister. She must have been an amazing lady and impacted so many people while here on earth. May God give you comfort in these very difficult days and the precious memories sustain you. Our thoughts and prayers are with all of you.
God bless.
My heart goes out to you from the loss of this beautiful person. As I watched the video her smile seemed like it radiated out to all. I pray you can feel Gods hands around you at this time and your peace with knowing that she is with her eternal Father in Heaven and someday we will all be together again in the place we can not imagine. Prayers for you all as you go on in this journey with Karen in your heart always. May God Bless Each and Everyone during this Advent Season.
Carol and Ken,
So sorry to hear about the death of Karen. What a lovely video. The other 3 sisters will miss her terribly! Looks like you all had a fun filling life with those 4 beautiful girls. My prayers go out to all the family.
I’m so sorry for your loss. I knew Karen just the few short years at Dorothy Moses but never will I forget her. She was a true friend I only wish I could have known her longer. I know she is hugging her angle baby now and that she will watch over her two beautiful girls always.
Josh:
I’m so sorry for your loss; the two of you seemed like a perfect match. Karen was a bright, personable young woman who made you smile. I know how lucky you felt to have found her; try to remember all the good times you had together.
So sorry for your loss. I knew Karen in junior high and high school through class and other organizations like science Olympiad – she was always a joy and a blessing to have around. I pray the God of hope continues to pour out his peace and comfort into your lives during this challenging time.