Karen Knudtson

Karen Knudtson, 85, of Mason City, passed away on Tuesday, October 21, 2025, at MercyOne North Iowa Medical Center. A memorial service will be held at 2 p.m. on Monday, October 27, 2025, at Trinity Lutheran Church, 213 N Pennsylvania Ave. Visitation will be held from 4 to 6 p.m. on Sunday, October 26, 2025, at Major Erickson Funeral Home, 111 N Pennsylvania Ave. Inurnment will be held at a later date in the Winnebago Lutheran Cemetery. Memorials can be directed to the Ronald and Karen Knudtson Scholarship fund at NIACC.

Karen was born in Boone, Iowa on January 2, 1940 to Virgil and Alberta (Petrie) Clabaugh. She attended Klemme High School, and was active in cheerleading, plays, and basketball before graduating in 1958.

Karen met the love of her life on a blind date at the Garner Roller Rink in 1957. She and Ron courted through letters when Ron joined the Navy. Upon his return, the two were married in Klemme, Iowa on February 25, 1961, and Karen joined Ron on his dairy farm in Mt. Valley township. She quickly grew to be an amazing farm wife, helping with chores and naming all of the cows—her favorites being Avis and Alberta, named after the pair's moms. Soon, her main role transitioned to that of a mother herself, as she was blessed with two children in 1962 and again in 1966. Rod and Jodee became the center of her life, and to the last day she honored that role with love and dedication. Karen was a faithful mother and grandmother, and loved attending all her kids' and grandchildren's events throughout the years.

In 1969, she became an entrepreneur, which was difficult as a woman. She opened her tax office, Rite Way Tax Service, which grew into her 32-year enterprise as Knudtson Tax Service until she sold it. A few years later, Karen's active spirit led her to obtain her real estate license, and she opened Knudtson Real Estate with her husband Ron in 1975. She continued to sell houses up until her passing. For 50 years, Karen lived, loved, and worked beside Ron, and they were not often seen without each other.

A surprising twist for Karen occurred in 1988, when Ron brought home a Gold Wing motorcycle (which gave Karen two very quiet weeks). She took a ride and fell in love with the freedom and community of Goldwinging, which brought heaps of joy and laughter into her life. Together, Ron and Karen grew another family of Gold Wing riders. Karen held all offices in the GWRRA Association in nine states. The couple traveled often, and visited every state (except for Alaska) and every courthouse in Iowa.

Karen was known and loved by many in a myriad of roles. She spent thirty years on the NIACC Board of Trustees, and was active in the Mason City Multiple Board of Realtors, holding all board officer roles over the years. Karen was also a member of the Women's Club, Trinity Lutheran Church, and many nonprofits which she gave of her time, talent, and treasures.

Karen's presence often blessed those around her with her amazing baking as well. She was known for her Special K bars, banana bars, and her favorite—all varieties of Christmas cookies, from decorated sugar cookies to kringla. Outside of baking, holidays and decorating were Karen's specialty. She loved to decorate, and put out over 100 snowmen and countless Christmas trees every season.

Karen is survived by her husband, Ron Knudtson; her children, Rod (Kendra) Knudtson of Marseilles, Illinois, and Jodee (Andy) O'Brien of Georgetown, Texas; grandchildren, Lindsay (Andrew) Bailey, Tanner (Kari) O'Brien, Bailey (Austin) Schmidt, and Nickolas Knudtson; great-grandchildren, Ava and Andrew, Jr. Bailey, and Brayden and Ellinor O'Brien; brothers, Gary and Bill (Roxanna) Clabaugh; sisters, Roma (Mike) Schaefer and Sherry Myers; and many nieces, nephews, and "adopted" families she served over the years in both realty and taxes.

Karen was preceded in death by her parents, Virgil and Alberta Clabaugh; sister, JoEllen Bramsen; and nephew, Danny Groves.