Karen Elaine (nee Rochel) Hollaus passed away peacefully on July 4th, 2026, at the age of 87. Born on December 5, 1938, in St. Croix Falls, Wisconsin, Karen was the only child of Marion and Frank Rochel. Surrounded by cousins and friends, she enjoyed an active and happy childhood. After graduating from St. Croix Falls High School she attended Macalester College graduating with a degree in Business Administration. Karen worked at 3M before discovering the passion that would shape much of her life. While working part-time at the Ski Haus in St. Paul, she met Austrian ski instructor Otto Hollaus. They married soon afterward in Sun Valley, Idaho and built a life centered on skiing, teaching, and sharing their love of the sport with others. Karen became a certified ski instructor and devoted many years to teaching children and adults through the Otto Hollaus Ski School. Her warmth, patience, and enthusiasm helped introduce countless students to the joy of skiing. Karen and Otto traveled extensively throughout the world. Her favorite experience was sailing the Greek Isles, a place she always hoped to return to. Karen also enjoyed playing tennis, swimming, running, biking, hiking, learning French, and spending time with friends, passions she continued throughout her life. Karen volunteered at the Community Mediation Center in St. Paul. She became an active member of The Lilydale Tennis Club, where she formed lasting friendships. Whether on the ski slopes or the tennis courts, Karen's positive outlook, athleticism, and generous spirit touched everyone who knew her. Karen often reflected with gratitude on the wonderful life she had been blessed to live—a life enriched by the love and support of her parents, husband, relatives, friends, and the many people she met along the way. She will be remembered for her adventurous heart, her lifelong love of learning and teaching, her graciousness, and the joy she found in bringing people together through sports, travel, and friendship. Karen is survived by several cousins and many friends. She was preceded in death by her husband Otto, who was the love of her life, and her parents. We are grateful to Karen’s amazing support team in the past few years along with the wonderful care provided by the staff at Keystone Place at LaValle Fields. A celebration of Karen's life will be held at Holman’s Table in St. Paul, MN on July 23, 2026, from 6:00-8:00 PM. In support of Karen’s long-standing philanthropy, in lieu of flowers, memorials may be directed to Doctors Without Borders, The YWCA, Selby Ave., St. Paul, MN, or Second Harvest Heartland, St. Paul, MN.