Karen Emily Larson, 76 of Austin, Minnesota, passed away peacefully, surrounded by her loving family, on Monday, Feb. 18, 2019, at Mayo Clinic Hospital in Rochester, Saint Marys Campus.

Karen was born on Sept. 14, 1942, in Austin, the daughter of Edward and Selma (Paulson) Harris. She grew up in Austin and graduated from Austin High School in 1960. Following high school, Karen attended LPN training at the Austin Area Vocational College and graduated in 1961. She married Darrell Herman Larson at St Augustine’s Catholic Church in Austin on Jan. 11, 1964. Together, they had two children, son Mark and daughter Lynn. After working many years, she went back to college to earn her RN degree. In 1985, she graduated from Austin Community College, along with her son Mark, both earning their Associates of Arts degree. Karen worked at St. Olaf Hospital/Austin Mayo Clinic, retiring as Night Nursing Supervisor in 2011.

Throughout the years, Karen enjoyed many crafts such as, cross stitching, crocheting and card-making. She was a fabulous cook and her family and friends enjoyed everything coming out of her kitchen. She was a diehard fan of the Minnesota Twins, and never missed watching the games on TV.  Karen also loved traveling, specifically Duluth, Minnesota, twice a year to watch the ships roll in, and annual family vacations up north, fishing and boating. She enjoyed crossword puzzles, playing boardgames, box games, and card games such as 500 and Euchre. Karen was active at the Village Co-op with activities. She was a beautiful woman, inside and out, with a feminine love of candles, perfumes, and purses. Karen will be dearly missed.

Survivors include her husband, Darrell Larson; son, Mark (Wanda) Larson; daughter, Lynn (Brian) Roberts; four grandchildren, Bayle, Nick, Lindsay, and Katie; and a host of friends. She was preceded in death by her parents, Edward and Selma (Paulson) Harris, and her father and mother-in-law, Myrle and Leona Larson.

Memorial services will be held at 10 a.m. on Saturday, Feb. 23, 2019, at the Worlein Funeral Home Chapel in Austin. Visitation will be held for one hour prior to the service at the funeral home on Saturday. Any memorial donations will go to Mayo Clinic Health System- Austin Foundation, 100 1st Dr. NW. Austin, MN 55912. Worlein Funeral Home of Austin is assisting the family with arrangements. Condolences may be expressed to the family online at www.worlein.com.