Funeral services for Karen Kay Thisius, 42, of Albert Lea, will be at 11 a.m. Friday at Bayview/Freeborn Funeral Home.

The Rev. Jim Berning will officiate. Interment will be at St. Casimir Cemetery in Wells. Visitation will be from 4 to 7 p.m. Thursday with a Rosary service at 6:30 p.m.at Bayview/Freeborn Funeral Home. Visitation will also be one hour prior to the service.

Karen died peacefully Monday, Feb.11, 2008, at REM Homes in Albert Lea surrounded by family and friends.

Karen Kay Thisius was born on Feb. 22, 1965, to Larry and Elizabeth (Betty) Thisius. She was baptized and confirmed at St. Casimir&8217;s Catholic Church, graduated from Freeborn High School in 1984. Karen worked for over 20 years at Cedar Valley Services and also at Alpha in Albert Lea. She lived in Albert Lea for 25 years, and was a member of St. Theodore Parish.

Karen was active in Special Olympics, Arc and SPIRE. She enjoyed many activities, especially shopping, bowling, swimming, going to the Freeborn County Fair, and having a good meal at many different restaurants.

Karen also loved to go to dances, had an impressive teddy bear collection, and was a Minnesota Viking Fan. Family and friends were very important to Karen, as she was always concerned about their lives, and delighted in visiting with everyone.

Karen will be dearly missed by her parents, Larry and Betty Thisius; sisters, Diane Thisius and Linda (Curtis) Sheely; brother, Dan (Rita) Thisius; nephews and niece, Michael and Thomas Sheely, Dylan, Brady, Linsey and Levi Thisius; and many aunts, uncles, and cousins.

Karen was preceded in death by her grandparents, Alfred and Helen Rauenhorst and Manville and Ruth Thisius; aunts, Darlene Rauenhorst and Melaine Theede; uncles, Harvey Vogel and Adrain Staloch; and cousin, John Paul Rauenhorst.