Karen Charlene DeGroodt, 76, passed away Wednesday, March 7, 2018.

Karen Charlene Sparks was born on October 16, 1941 to Della (Heydt) and James Sparks in Sargeant, Minnesota.  She graduated from Rose Creek High School in 1959 and on December 9 ^th 1961, she married Kenneth DeGroodt in Brownsdale, Minnesota at the United Methodist Church.

Karen and Ken have resided in Byron for 52 years.  Karen worked at the United Methodist Church in Byron as a secretary and then the Personnel Department at St. Marys Hospital, and finally the Human Resource Department at Mayo Clinic where she retired in 2004.

She is survived by her husband Kenneth; her daughter, Kristine of Stewartville and her son, Jason of Rochester; many nieces, nephews and cousins; brother, Roger (Susan) Sparks of Chandler, Arizona; sisters-in-law, Sharon Sparks of Owatonna, and Karen Ricabaugh of Zumbrota.  She was preceded in death by her parents, Della and James Sparks; brothers, Gary and Donald, and in-laws, Lawrence and Esther DeGroodt.

Karen enjoyed gardening, camping, reading, bird watching and playing solitaire and mahjong on her computer.  She was a very caring, loving and wonderful mother, wife and friend.

A Funeral Service for Karen will be held at 11:00AM, Tuesday, March 13, 2018 at Byron United Methodist Church officiated by Rev. Beth Perez.  Visitation will be Monday, March 12, 2018 from 4:00PM – 7:00PM at the Byron Funeral Home and one hour prior to the funeral at the church on Tuesday.  Burial will be at Byron Cemetery.