Karen Ann Ahlstrom

Karen Ann Ahlstrom, age 80, of Mankato, died on Sunday, August 28, 2022 at Ecumen Pathstone.

The funeral service will be held Saturday, September 10, 2022 at 11:00 a.m. at Bethel Baptist Church in Mankato.  Visitation will be held one hour prior to the service at the church. Burial will be in Mt. Olivet Cemetery.  Northview-North Mankato Mortuary is in charge of arrangements. The service will be livestreamed at www.mankatomortuary.com. 

Memorials are preferred to Samaritan’s Purse.

Karen was born on October 6, 1941 in Owatonna, MN to Ernest and Anna (Kubista) Hillson. She grew up on a farm and attended District 63 Country School through 8^th grade. Karen graduated from Blooming Prairie High School in 1959. She received a degree in elementary education from Mankato Teacher’s College. Karen met Donald Ahlstrom while in college and they were united in marriage on July 6, 1963. Karen and Don lived in Roseville, Forest Lake, and retired in Mankato. Karen taught in Owatonna, Mounds View, and Chisago Lakes. She enjoyed teaching whether in the classroom or in Sunday school. She was also a dedicated and loving stay-at-home mom for many years. Karen was a lifelong learner, loved brain puzzles, and always wanted to be a contestant on Jeopardy. She attended a variety of Bible studies and served her church and community throughout the years. Karen enjoyed sewing, gardening, cooking, and reading. She had a great circle of friends and made connections easily. Relationships meant a lot to her. You could often find her meeting with friends or family for a cup of coffee, or better yet, a glass of unsweetened iced tea. 

Karen is survived by two children, Sonja (Dave) Venberg of Victoria, MN and Brian (Akiko) Ahlstrom of Akita, Japan; four grandchildren, Kaela (Jack) Donaldson of Denver, CO, Kyle Venberg of La Mirada, CA, Alicia Ahlstrom of Akita, Japan, and Jonah Ahlstrom of Akita, Japan; one sister, Eileen (Robert) Anderson of Rochester, MN; many dear brother and sister-in-laws; nieces and nephews, cousins, and other relatives and friends.  She was preceded in death by her parents and husband, Donald.

Karen was dearly loved and will be immeasurably missed. We celebrate her legacy of faith, her love of family and friends, and the fact that she is pain free and in God’s glorious presence.

The live stream link below is a complimentary service provided by Mankato Area Funeral Homes. Unforeseen technical, internet, facility, and/or acoustical circumstances may produce a diminished end product. Please note, if the live stream does not appear, we are attempting to record and publish the service for later viewing.