Karan K. Pfingsten

Karan K. Pfingsten, 82 of Gleason, passed away Friday February 7, 2025, at Aspirus Rhinelander Hospital.

Karan was born January 20, 1943, in Oklahoma, daughter of Asa Byron and Edna (Gennrich) Couse. She married Ray A. Pfingsten on October 29, 1960 at the former Emmanuel Lutheran Church in the Town of Schley. Ray passed away July 12, 2021. Karan had worked as a secretary at the former Midway Elementary School in Gleason, Surty Manufacturing in Gleason, and ITC in Merrill. She retired from Packaging Tape in Wausau. Karan was a longtime member of Luther Memorial Lutheran Church in Gleason. 

Karan was an organist at Luther Memorial Lutheran Church for over sixty years. Prior to that, she was the organist at Emmanuel Lutheran Church. She enjoyed playing organ at many area churches for weddings and funerals. Karan also taught piano lessons.

She loved her family and enjoyed time spent with them. Karan loved to cook and bake and always had special treats for anyone who stopped by. She also enjoyed collecting angels. In their younger years, Karan and Ray enjoyed snowmobiling and camping. They also liked traveling and taking Sunday drives. 

Survivors include her children, Connie (Robert) Jones, Debra (Victor) Jewell and Mark Pfingsten (Jennifer Sparling) all of Gleason; 13 grandchildren, Mathew (Danielle) Puhl, Amanda Puhl, Melissa (Maurice) Silva, James (Mylene) Jones, Todd Jones, Marie (Andy) Ament, John (Stephanie) Jewell, Andrew (Rochelle) Kuczmarski, Luke (Trista) Pfingsten, Alex Pfingsten, Jordan Sparling, Austin Sparling, and Isabella Towne; 15 great grandchildren; and 4 great great grandchildren. Karan was preceded in death by her husband, Ray Pfingsten; parents, Asa and Edna Couse; and brother, Byron Couse. 

The funeral service for Karan will take place at 11:00 A.M., Friday, February 21, 2025, at Luther Memorial Lutheran Church, Gleason. Rev. Greg Laska will preside. Burial will take place in Emmanuel Luther Memorial Cemetery, Town of Schley. The family will receive friends beginning at 10:00 A.M. Friday, February 21, 2025, at the church. 

The family would like to extend a special thank you to Karan's caregivers including members of the family, members of the Mennonite community, and the staff at Friendly Village for all the wonderful care provided to Karan. 

Taylor-Stine-Waid Funeral & Cremation Service of Merrill is assisting the family with arrangements. Online condolences are encouraged and may be made at www.taylorstinewaid.com.