Karen Lee Peterson passed away on Monday, August 31, 2026, in Zephyrhills, Florida, at the age of 83.
Karen was born in Duluth, Minnesota, on July 13, 1943, the daughter of Harry Bertran and Bertha (Bodin) Peterson. She grew up in Cotton and Proctor, Minnesota, and later lived in Florida and Iowa.
Karen was a gentle soul and a force of nature—kind, creative, curious, practical, and remarkably self-reliant. She lived simply, gave generously, and found happiness in family and the everyday pleasures of life. A lifelong learner, Karen earned a degree in Home Economics from UMD. In her 50s, she returned to college at Florida State University, graduating summa cum laude after studying religion and art education. She loved history, nature, politics, classical music, and learning about nearly anything, including dinosaurs. Karen was an artist and maker at heart. She quilted, sewed, painted, and had the eye of a designer. She made costumes and special dresses for her children, volunteered in their schools, served as a Girl Scout leader, and later created a basement where her quilting space happily coexisted with an art and play space for her grandchildren.
Giving came naturally to Karen. She volunteered with many organizations, including years of service with the Special Olympics, and made Quilts of Valor. She donated to causes she cared about and believed in helping others. She loved gardening and flowers, especially peonies, daisies, lilies, and roses. She loved the color yellow, sweets, morning coffee, walking and hiking, Disney, cheesy jokes and puns, and dancing little jigs. She loved to sing, try new things, and was an amazing photographer. She had an adventurous spirit. Proud of her Scandinavian heritage, she traveled to Norway on her own.
Above all, Karen loved her family. Every Sunday, she would call and cheerfully announce, “This is your happy Sunday call.”
Karen is survived by her children, Kelly Jacobs Brousseau (Chad), Ken Jacobs, Susan Jacobs Daniel (Paul), and Lori Jacobs Wemple (Brian), her grandchildren, Lauren Brousseau (Kendall Osier), Sean Brousseau, Connor Wemple, and Elle Wemple. Her sisters, Donna and Susan, preceded her in death.
Karen was thoughtful, capable, generous, and kind. She was “five foot two with eyes of blue” and will always be dearly loved by her family.
Funeral Services will be held on Monday, September 14, 2026, at 11:30 a.m. at the Murphy Funeral Home in Mount Pleasant. Burial will follow at the Hillsboro Cemetery.
Online condolences may be sent to the family at www.murphyfuneralandmonuments.com