Karen Kortuem

Karen Kortuem, age 75, of rural Mankato, passed away on Saturday, October 30, 2021, from pancreatic cancer. Karen was at home when she passed, surrounded by her family and the gardens she loved, just as she had wished.

A Celebration of Life will be held at 3:00 p.m. on Wednesday, November 3, 2021, at the Northview-North Mankato Mortuary, 2060 Commerce Drive, North Mankato. Visitation will be from 1:00 p.m. to 3:00 p.m. at the funeral home. The service will be livestreamed and available at Karen's obituary page at www.mankatomortuary.com.

Karen was born July 30, 1946, in rural Martin County, Minnesota. She attended Huntley High School and Mankato State University, earning Bachelor’s and Master’s degrees in early childhood education. Karen was passionate about the wellbeing of children and co-owned a daycare center in Mankato, Partners in Care, in the 1980s. Later, she worked for Child Care Resource and Referral in Mankato, leading the popular Festival of Trees event for several years. In her retirement, Karen enjoyed the magnificent gardens and landscaping she created at her home with the help of her husband and son. Karen was a lover of adventure, traveling to Paris, Ireland, Australia, and many other places with her daughter. She loved beauty, good food, wine, and laughter, which she shared generously with her many beloved friends.

Karen is survived by her husband of 54 years, Jim, her daughter, Amy, and her son, Jeff.

She was preceded in death by her parents, Lloyd and Freda Bahr, of Huntley, Minnesota, and brothers Keith Bahr and Kenneth Bahr.

In lieu of flowers, the family would appreciate donations be made to The Backpack Food Program of Mankato in honor of Karen’s love for children. Karen would love knowing that you will remember her as full of life and fun…and that if you happen to see a fairy on a walk through your garden, you’ll know Karen sent it to greet you!