Karen Marie Odegaard

Karen Marie (Johnson) Odegaard, 88 years old, of Bloomington, MN, died on March 9, 2026. A memorial service will be held on Saturday, March 21, 2026 at 11:00AM at Bloomington Living Hope Lutheran church in Bloomington, MN. Burial of her ashes will take place in August at Hoiland Cemetery in rural Tracy, MN.

Karen was born on July 22, 1937 in Tracy, MN to Kenneth and Marie (Prouty) Johnson. She was baptized, confirmed, and began her Lutheran faith at Zion Lutheran Church in Tracy. Following her graduation in 1955 from Tracy High School, Karen furthered her education at Bethany Lutheran College and Mankato State, receiving her Bachelors of Arts in teaching. In 1965 Karen began her career teaching grades 1-8 in Tacoma, WA. She returned to Minnesota, making her home in Bloomington. In 1969 Karen married Ted Odegaard. This union brought three stepchildren into her life. She retired in 1993 from Normandale Hills, the school she taught at most of her career.

Closest to Karen's heart was family, music, education and faith. Her love of God brought her much enjoyment and peace in life. She gifted us with her musical talent through the piano, organ, hand bells and her love for singing. Karen's boisterous voice could be heard above all.

Karen enjoyed vacationing across the United States and abroad with her mother and friends. She kept journals of these trips, sharing her knowledge with others. Traveling to China and Spain, she volunteered in their schools, helping to teach English. At home, she taught English and reading to adults and immigrants. She was a member of the Daughters of the American Revolution (DAR), once serving as president in her local chapter. She also assisted at the food shelf, VEEP, for many years.

She continued being active in her church in worship and sharing her musical talents. Karen never lost her desire to learn and share, offering herself in communion with family and friends, attending theatre and musicals, and serving God.

Karen was preceded in death by her parents, Kenneth and Marie (Prouty) Johnson and brother,

John Johnson. She is survived by her sister, Phyllis (Ken) Nyberg, sister-in-law, Debby Cocking

Johnson, her step-children, step-grandchildren, step-great-grandchild, and many nieces,

nephews, cousins and friends.