Mineral Point / Barneveld - Karol K Thousand, age 63, of Mineral Point, formerly of Barneveld, passed away peacefully surrounded by her loving family on Thursday, January 15, 2015 after a brief battle with cancer.

Karol was a devoted and loving Wife, Mother, Nana, sister, aunt, friend and colleague. She was born on January 9, 1952 to Edwin and Lorene (Tollison) Collins. Karol spent her life involved in cosmetology education. After graduating from Barneveld High School, Karol went to cosmetology college and opened her own salon 1000 Curls in Barneveld WI. She then accepted a position with Capri College in Madison WI.

As the years passed, Karol worked for several other large school operations in an executive role including Pivot Point, La James International Academies, Trendsetters and Midwest Technical Institute. Karol was an active leader in the Iowa and Illinois School Association and was widely recognized within the cosmetology industry for her ability to develop successful strategic initiatives and mentor staff and students. Karol could often be found at state or national events eager to learn the latest information. Karol was loyal to her faith, family and friends. She loved playing cards, gardening and most of all, gathering for special celebrations with her family. Karol was kind, generous, witty, warm-hearted quick to find opportunities for laughter.

Karol married the love of her life Ronnie Thousand on April 16, 1971 whom she now joins in heaven. They raised 3 amazing kids. Lynne (Tom) Paradis, Michael (Stacey) Thousand, all of Mineral Point and Amanda (Nick) Wozniak, of Rochester MN. She will be dearly missed by her 11 grandchildren, Hunter & Dathan Paradis, Halayna, Landon, Lila, Ronica and Collins Thousand of Mineral Point and Trevor, Rinoa, Scarlett and Everly Wozniak of Rochester MN.

Survived by her children and grandchildren, Karol is further survived by her mother Lorene Collins, twin sister Karen Anderson – Blue Mounds WI, sisters Renee(Tim) Meyer, Rhonda Clerkin, Kathleen(Paul) Murphy, brother Lee(Lori) Collins, sister in law Sharon Thousand all of Barneveld WI, Brother in law Tom(Kathy) Thousand- Dane WI, Brother in law Dan(Elaine) Thousand – Lake Mills, WI along with many other nieces, nephews, cousins, family members and friends. Karol was preceded in death by her husband Ronnie Thousand, Brother in law Harley Anderson- Blue Mounds and father Edwin Collins- Barneveld.

A Mass of Christian Burial will be held on Monday, January 19, 2015 at 12:00 noon at Ss. MARY & PAUL CATHOLIC CHURCH in Mineral Point. Fr. Monte Robinson will officiate. Burial of cremated remains will be in St Mary's Cemetery at a later date. A visitation will be held on Monday from 9:00 - 11:50 a.m. at Ss. MARY & PAUL CATHOLIC CHURCH in Mineral Point.