Karen Harriet Scheibe

Karen Harriet Scheibe (née Blackstad, formerly Kolstad), beloved daughter of Harris and Evelyn (Luckow) Blackstad, passed away peacefully on February 16, 2025, at the age of 84.

A service to celebrate Karen’s life will be held at Sturm Funeral Home in Saint James, Minnesota at 10:30am on Thursday, June 12, 2025, with visitation at 10:00am. Arrangements are with Sturm Funeral Home in Saint James. Online condolences may be left for the family at www.sturmfh.com.

Born on Christmas Eve 1940, Karen grew up in Saint James, Minnesota. In 1959, she married Richard Kolstad (d. 1991) and together built a life and family in the area. In 1993, she married Richard Scheibe (d. 2023), with whom she shared years of companionship between Minnesota and Arizona. She later became a resident of Crystal Seasons in Lake Crystal, Minnesota, where she formed many new friendships. Karen’s lively spirit will be missed.

Her grandchildren will always cherish her special holiday celebrations and unmistakable sense of style, as well as the joy they shared feeding the lambs, fishing at the lake, and playing cards!

Karen is survived by her daughter, Brenda (Dan) Kafka of Ortonville, MN; son, Blaine (Teresa) Kolstad of Mankato, MN; daughter-in-law, Patricia Kolstad of Kasota, MN; and sister, Shirley (Denny) Ferris of Mankato, MN; and their families including Karen’s seven grandchildren, six great grandchildren, and five nieces and nephews.

Karen was preceded in death by her parents; her first husband, Richard Kolstad; her second husband, Richard Scheibe; her eldest son, Kevin Kolstad; and her brothers, David Blackstad and Vance Blackstad. We take comfort in knowing she is reunited with them.

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