Karen Kay Stegenga of Albert Lea died peacefully Saturday, Dec. 15, 2018, at St. Marys hospital in Rochester. A time for gathering with the family will be from 4 to 6 p.m. Tuesday at Bonnerup Funeral Service in Albert Lea.

Karen was born Nov. 26, 1940, in Albert Lea, the daughter of Hein and Edith (Juhl) Oldert. She was a graduate of Albert Lea High School. On Nov. 5, 1960, she was united in marriage to John Stegenga in Hollandale.

Karen was a resident of Hollandale and Albert Lea all of her life. She was an active member of Hollandale Reformed Church and most recently First Presbyterian Church in Albert Lea. Karen was a homemaker and spent many hours volunteering at Hollandale Christian School. She enjoyed reading, was an exercise enthusiast and loved spending time with her grandchildren.

Karen is survived by her son, Jeff, and his wife, Pam Stegenga, of Santa Barbara, California, and their children Jake, Michael and Kathleen; sisters Faye (Richard) Madsen of Albert Lea and Gayle (Bill) Sievers of Albert Lea; and nieces and nephews Robyn, Darin, Bryan and Sheryl. Also surviving is a special friend, Dennis Schewe.

She was preceded in death by her parents and husband, John, in 2002.