Karen S. Gustafson, age 80, a resident of Manitowoc, entered eternal life while surrounded by her family on Sunday, December 15, 2019.

Karen was born on April 5, 1939 in Platteville to the late Isaac and Hazel (Omundson) Enderson.  She graduated from Blue Earth High School in Blue Earth, MN with the class of 1957.  Karen attended Concordia University from 1957 to 1959 and then obtained her Bachelor of Arts degree in Education from Gustavus Adolphus College in St. Peter, MN in 1961.  On August 1, 1964, Karen married Jack Gustafson at First Lutheran Church in Manitowoc.  Karen's first teaching job was at an elementary school in Luverne, MN from 1961 to 1962.  Then in 1963 until 1968, Karen worked as a 2 ^nd grade teacher at Cleveland Elementary School in Manitowoc.  She then concluded her working career as a pre-K teacher at Lakeshore Daycare Center from where she worked from 1985 until her retirement in 1995.  Karen was a member of First Lutheran Church, P.E.O. Chapter CD Manitowoc, Hatrack Readers, Junior Service League, and Meals on Wheels.  She had many hobbies and interests, but none greater than her family.

Survivors include Karen's husband, Jack, with whom she shared 55 years of happiness.  Also surviving are her daughter, Jodi (Hector) Gustafson, Fitchburg; son, Jeff (Amy) Gustafson, Gurnee, IL; three grandchildren, Andrea, Shane and Allison; two sisters, Barbara Ryan and Kathy Ylvisaker; dear cousin, Bruce (Lois) Omundson; brother-in-law and sisters-in-law, Ron Gustafson, Gail Jackson, and Betty Jo Cassidy; also other relatives and friends.  Karen was preceded in death by her parents, Hazel and Ike Enderson; father-in-law and mother-in-law, Jack and Eleanor Gustafson; and four brothers-in-law, Fred Ryan, Mark Ylvisaker, Don Jackson, and Tom Cassidy.

Funeral services will be held at 11 a.m. on Saturday, December 21, 2019 at First Lutheran Church, 521 North 8 ^th Street, Manitowoc.  Rev. Rachel Hacker will officiate with entombment to take place at Knollwood Mausoleum at a later date.  The family will greet relatives and friends at the Harrigan Parkside Funeral Home on Friday, December 20, 2019 from 4 p.m. to 7 p.m.  The visitation will continue on Saturday at First Lutheran Church from 9:30 a.m. until the time of the funeral service at 11 a.m.  A light luncheon will follow.  Online condolences may be sent to the family at www.harriganparksidefuneralhome.com

In lieu of flowers, the family would appreciate memorials in Karen's name.

Karen's family would like to extend their thanks and appreciation to Dr. Lynn Baatz and all of the staff of Holy Family Memorial Cancer Center.  Their loving and competent care gave Karen's family the gift of 11 more years together.

The Harrigan Parkside Funeral Home and Crematory, North 11 ^th and St. Clair streets, Manitowoc is assisting the family with funeral arrangements.