Karen L. Kuhnau

Karen L. Kuhnau, age 78, of Alexandria, passed away peacefully surrounded by her family on Saturday, December 3, 2022, at Bethany on the Lake in Alexandria.

A memorial service will be held at 11 a.m., Friday, December 16, 2022, at Zion Lutheran Church in Alexandria with Rev. Don Wilke officiating. Karen's service will be recorded and can be viewed on her obituary page on the funeral home's website.

A visitation will be held from 5-7 p.m., Thursday, December 15, 2022, at Lind Family Funeral Home in Alexandria. Visitation will continue one hour prior to the service at the church.

Karen Lou Johnson was born on November 22, 1944, the youngest of seven children, to Truman and Emma (Garber) Johnson in Jackson, Minnesota. She grew up on a farm near Alpha, Minnesota and graduated from Jackson High School in 1962. She attended secretarial school in Mankato before working in the Jackson area. Karen met the love of her life on a blind date and married Gilbert Kuhnau on September 3, 1966, in Jackson. The couple made their home on a farm near Farwell. Karen worked for Fingerhut in Alexandria, was a homemaker, and finished her career, working for over 20 years, at Alexandria Opportunities Center retiring in 2012. Karen was proud to be the mother of her adopted daughters, Connie Lynn and Brenda Kay, and loved being a grandma to their children. Having the kids and grandkids at her house brought her great joy. Karen’s hobbies included cardmaking, scrapbooking, stamping, knitting, and baking. When her family came to visit, she made an extra effort to serve their favorite food and worked diligently to make every card she sent personalized precisely to its recipient.

She was preceded in death by her parents; brothers, Harold Johnson and Donald Johnson; sister, Evelyn Koerner; brothers-in-law, Elmer Koerner, Robert Rydberg, Glen Kuhnau, Don Kuhnau, Bill Kuhnau, Darrell Kuhnau, and Roger Kuhnau; sisters-in-law, Patty Kuhnau, Allyn Kuhnau, Carol Kuhnau, Bertha Johnson, and Char Johnson; nephew, Brent Kuhnau; and three nieces, Tamara Kuhnau, Sheri Major and Wendy Kuhnau.

Karen is survived by her husband of 56 years, Gib; daughters, Connie (Mike) Nelson and Brenda (Scott) Shane; grandchildren, Rachel (Colin) Kelley, Jacob Shane, Bennett (Emma) Shane, and Sarah Shane, Payton Bleess and Zoey Bleess; brother, Robert Johnson; sisters, Lois Johnson and Joyce (Lowell) Raatz; sisters-in-law, Erna Johnson, Karen M. Kuhnau, Donna Kuhnau, Elaine Kuhnau, Judi Kuhnau, Myrt Schmidt, and Barb Chan; brothers-in-law, Bob (Mary) Kuhnau, Earl Kuhnau, Vic Kuhnau, Doug (Birdie) Kuhnau, and Paul Kuhnau; along with many nieces and nephews.

Serving as urn bearers will be Jacob Shane, Bennett Shane, Colin Kelley, and Elijah Zuehlke.

In lieu of flowers memorials preferred to Lutheran Island Camp, Zion Lutheran School, or Martin Luther High School.