Karen M. Schaefer

Karen Schaefer, age 76, of New Ulm passed away peacefully on Tuesday, February 17, 2026 at Divine Providence in Sleepy Eye.

Funeral service will be 12 p.m. Friday, February 27, 2026 at St. Paul's Evangelical Lutheran Church in New Ulm. Pastor Timothy Smith will officiate. Burial will be held at 2:15 p.m. at the Lutheran Cemetery in New Ulm.

Visitation will be from 10-12 p.m. Friday, February 27, 2026 at St. Paul's Evangelical Lutheran Church in New Ulm.

To leave an online condolence for the family, or to sign the guestbook, please visit: www.mvfh.org.

Karen is survived by her husband of over 55 years, Kenneth Schaefer; children, Chad (Sarah) Schaefer, Michelle Rathmann, Nathan (Cassandra) Schaefer; ten grandchildren, Kirsten, Dylan, Hailey, Abigail, Ryan, Grayson, Seannah, Jayden, Mya, Brielle; sister, Brenda (Mike) Walden; siblings-in-law, Jim (Lorie) Schaefer, Tom (Gayle) Schaefer, Mary (Randy) Slander; sixteen nieces and nephews; and many extended family and friends.

She was preceded in death by her mother, Annette; fathers, Arden Frederickson, Neil Johnson; siblings, Jon Frederickson, Jim (Linda) Frederickson, Bruce Frederickson, Curly Marks; parents-in-law, Erwin and Myra Schaefer and brother-in-law, Billy Schaefer.

Karen Marie Frederickson was born October 11, 1949 to Arden and Annette (Bassett) Frederickson in Sleepy Eye. Shortly after birth, Arden passed away. Karen was baptized, received first communion, and was confirmed at St. Mary's Catholic Church in Sleepy Eye. When Karen was in high school, her mother Annette was united in marriage to Neil Johnson. Karen later graduated from St. Mary's High School in Sleepy Eye in 1967. On August 1, 1970, Karen was united in marriage to the love of her life, Kenneth Erwin Schaefer, at St. Mary's Catholic Church in Sleepy Eye. Their union was blessed with three children, whom Karen dedicated her life to raising. In addition to being a wife and mother, Karen also worked at St. Mary's Credit Union in Sleepy Eye, Citizen's Bank in New Ulm, and was the bookkeeper for Jake's Pizza in New Ulm. In her free time, Karen enjoyed embroidery, crossword puzzles, playing bingo, and casino trips with Diane. She especially enjoyed hosting holidays, like Christmas, where her whole family came home as Christmas was her favorite holiday. Her children and grandchildren were her most "prized treasures." She loved attending the grandchildren's sporting and school events as a very proud grandma, as well as spending time with family and friends chatting over a good cup of coffee. Karen will be dearly missed. Blessed be her memory.

In lieu of flowers, memorials are preferred.

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