Karli Olson

Karli Elizabeth Olson was called to heaven by Almighty God on June 23, 2026. Karli was born to Douglas and Judith (Brunner) Sletmoen in Detroit Lakes, Minnesota on January 7, 1970. She was raised in the community of Cormorant. From her earliest days, Doug and Judi taught Karli to know, love, and serve the risen Lord Jesus Christ.

Karli attended Audubon public schools. She excelled in sports, music, and academics as a girl and graduated from high school in 1988. Karli spent her youth working on the family farm with her father, spending time on Lake Cormorant, taking care of younger cousins, and learning to hunt waterfowl. She was an outstanding wingshot and treasured that time in the duck blind with her beloved earthly father, Doug. She was Daddy’s girl. Karli loved her extended family and her friends fiercely and held them tightly over the years. In spite of all the adventure that followed her early life, Karli remained a country girl from northern Minnesota in her heart. She had an indelible connection and loyalty to the place of her birth.

In the fall of 1988, Karli followed older sister Dena to Moorhead State University where she and Dena were not only sisters, but roommates for a time. Karli graduated with a bachelor’s degree in biology in 1992. Because of her life-long attraction to all things living and her personal sense of wonder at God’s creation, she decided to pursue on a master’s degree in Animal and Range Sciences at North Dakota State University. On her first day there, she was introduced to a boy who was instantly drawn to her beauty, dignity, and strength of character. She and the boy, KC Olson, began a 34-year relationship that day.

Karli and KC were united in Holy Matrimony at Audubon Lutheran Church on July 30, 1994. Their first act as a couple was to pack up and move to the Flint Hills of Kansas so KC could attend additional schooling. Karli never hesitated to put her personal plans on hold to support KC as he chased his dreams; however, Karli soon became captivated by the stunning beauty of the tallgrass prairie. In spite of the obstacle of distance and a second household move to mid-Missouri, Karli graduated from NDSU with a master’s degree in the spring of 1999.

Karli and KC were deeply blessed by the arrival of two sons: Charles Orville in October of 2001 and Theodore Kristian in July of 2006. Karli and KC returned to the Flint Hills of Kansas in 2006. They bought a little ranch and made their home in north Lyon County just east of Council Grove, Kansas.

Karli was completely devoted to the welfare of her husband and sons, her parents, her sister, and her church family at Council Grove Christian Church. She invested countless hours in the spiritual well-being of others. As a home school teacher, AWANA leader, Sunday School teacher, and stalwart hand at Neosho Gardens in Council Grove, she made sure that everyone around her heard the message of salvation that comes from Faith in Jesus Christ alone. She lived her faith daily.

Karli was known for her stellar intelligence, work ethic, talent for making things grow, baking skills, and her off-beat sense of humor. She had a laugh that would lighten the mood in any room. Karli is survived by her husband KC, son Charles, son Theodore, sister Dena, and mother Judi. We who remain until called into the arms of Christ will miss her every second. Some of us think she might already be sitting in a duck blind in heaven with her dear father.

A visitation with family will be held on July 1, 2026, from 9:30-10:30am with a funeral service following at 11:00am at the Council Grove Christian Church.

Memorial contributions are suggested to the Council Grove Christian Church and may be sent in care of Sawyer Funeral Home, PO Box 273, Council Grove, KS, 66846.