Karina Hatch Nelson

Karina Hatch Nelson, 93, died Saturday (October 29) at her home in Missoula. Karina was born at Tingvold, Norway to Kristian Hantson Franzvaag and Jenny Larsen Sentre on October 30, 1922. She married Orwoll Gerhard Haukaas (Conrads) in Norway; they immigrated to Canada, living at Vancouver, BC.

She and her family immigrated to America in 1960, settling first at Ballard, Washington and later moving to California, residing in the Solvang and Santa Barbara area. Her husband preceded her in death in 1975. Karina had an interest and love of horses, raising and keeping Peruvian- Paso Horses, both in California and later while living in Montana. She married Bill Hatch at Santa Barbara, CA.

A vacation fishing trip to Rock Creek brought Karina and Bill to Montana where, in 1985, they made their home at Rock Creek and enjoyed the great Montana outdoors. They remained there until moving into Missoula to make their home at Grizzly Peak. He preceded her in death on March 28, 2012.

Karina married Fred Nelson November 23, 2013 at Missoula where they resided in a very loving and supporting relationship together until the time of her death. Karina was also preceded in death by the untimely loss of her daughter Linda Root in 2015.

Surviving her are her husband Fred; her son, Barney Conrads and wife Dorothy of Rock Creek; a sister, Heidi Pederson of Vancouver, BC; and most especially 9 grandchildren and 7 great grandchildren whom she loved dearly.

Funeral services will be Saturday at 11:00 a.m. at the LDS Church, 3201 Bancroft Ave., with reception to follow at the church. Interment and dedication services will follow at 2:00 p.m. at Missoula Cemetery. Visitation and viewing will be from 9:30 to 10:30 a.m. at the church. Arrangements are by Garden City Funeral Home. Memories and condolences may be shared online by visiting www.gardencityfh.com.