Karin M. Colby

Karin M. Colby, 85, of Maple, Wisconsin, passed away on March 6, 2026, at Aspirus St. Luke’s Hospital in Duluth.

Born on November 30, 1940, in Duluth, Minnesota, to Marie (Bodin) and Swan Lundberg, Karin married Arnie Colby on February 15, 1958, at Gloria Dei Lutheran Church in Duluth. She worked as a cook at Maple Corner Elementary School for 25 years and later at Northwestern Elementary School until her retirement. She also worked at the Oulu Branch Store.

A longtime member of Cloverland Covenant Church and The Old Brule Heritage Society, Karin served as secretary for both organizations and remained deeply devoted to her community. Above all, her family was the center of her world. She took great pride in her children and grandchildren, always welcoming them and others into her home with a fresh pot of coffee, homemade cookies, and warm conversation. She cherished drives to visit neighbors and friends, especially outings to town with her daughter Carolyn or granddaughter Emma. At home, she enjoyed watching the Hallmark Channel, playing dice with her sisters, and occasional trips to the casino.

Karin was preceded in death by her parents; her husband, Arnie; her daughter, Denise Dahlen; her brother, Larry Lundberg; her sister, Elaine Lundberg; longtime friend Edward Walman; and brother-in-law Marvin Colby.

She is survived by her children, Carolyn (Pat) Grube, Kenneth (Bonnie) Colby, and Roger (Tanya) Colby; her son-in-law, Mark Dahlen; her grandchildren, Rachel (Jim) Romich, Jessica (Chris) Drahota, Jonathan (Toni) Grube, Anthony Colby, Nicolle (Brandon) Sande, Emma (Michael Pullen) Colby, and Derec Colby; her great-grandchildren, Jillian, Axel, Jedidiah, Kendra, Otto, and Braelynn; her sisters, Liz Colby and Elsa Lundberg; and bonus son William Koivisto.