Karen J. Fawcett, age 77 of Winona, died Saturday, Jan. 7, 2017 at Hennepin County Medical Center, Minneapolis.
Karen was born in Park Falls, Wis. on March 5, 1939 to Norman and Margaret Nelson. She is survived by husband O.J., sons David (Renee) and Mark (fiancée Sara), grandchildren Cole, Drew, Rania, Maren, Owen, and twin sister Sandra Adams (Johnny).
She was preceded in death by her parents and younger brother John Nelson.
Growing up, she moved around the woods of northern Wisconsin as her father was assigned to different positions in the U.S. Forest Service. In the summer of 1954, her father accepted the Gunflint District Ranger position in Grand Marais. Karen and her siblings were not happy to be leaving childhood friends in Hayward, Wis. and moving to a town where they didn’t know anyone just as she and Sandra were starting high school. But, the family was warmly welcomed into Grand Marais, and they quickly built wonderful friendships that lasted the rest of their lives.
After graduating from Grand Marais High School in 1957, she moved to Minneapolis to attend Northwestern Hospital School of Nursing, graduating in 1960. She married O.J. in 1962, and moved to Winona where they lived until recently. Later, she earned a BSN degree from Winona State University Nursing School.
Throughout her life, Karen focused on children and caring for others. She worked as a pediatric nurse at the Winona Clinic, and directed early childhood development programs in the Winona Public School System. She took genuine interest in everyone who came into her life, inspiring, mentoring, and caring for them.
Even though she only lived in Grand Marais for three years, she strongly felt that it was her hometown. Almost every subsequent summer included a family trip to Grand Marais, reconnecting with family friends, and telling her children and eventually grandchildren about her happy high school years there, including summer jobs waitressing at the East Bay Hotel and Leng’s Fountain.
One of her greatest joys was having a close relationship with her five grandchildren, sharing family history and stories, cooking, baking, and visiting Grand Marais together. She loved to walk up the hill with her grandchildren to visit Betsy Bowen’s studio, dine with them in her favorite local restaurants, and show them the wildflowers along East Bay.
Karen served in leadership positions with many organizations that she believed in, including Great River Shakespeare Festival, Winona Community Foundation, Winona State University Development, and the regional promotion of Minnesota Public Radio.
She was a curious, lifelong learner, who loved to explore other cultures, theater, music, the arts, and science. She also had compassion, deep empathy, and an unending drive to help children and people who were not dealt an easy life. With that synergy, she made real and positive changes in this world and in people’s lives.
Funeral services for Karen were held in Winona on Jan. 12, 2017.
Memorials preferred to Great River Shakespeare Festival and Winona Area Humane Society.
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