Karen Alma Reigstad

Karen Alma (Gronseth) Reigstad, age 77, of White Bear Lake, MN passed away peacefully on March 14, 2025. A beloved and cherished wife, mother, sister, grandmother, aunt, and friend. Karen was born on July 25th, 1947 in Kerkhoven, MN, the first born of three to the late Arnold and Eleanor Gronseth.

Karen grew up actively working and driving the tractor on her family's farm, where she developed a love for horses, especially for her own horse "Paint" she adored and cared for. Karen attended Kerkhoven-Sunburg high school and was an active member of the yearbook committee. She met the love of her life, Gordon Reigstad, in the 9th grade and they would go on to be Homecoming King and Queen and graduate together in 1965. Karen attended Ramsey Hospital (Regions) Nursing School, where she completed her nursing degree, and then married Gordon in 1968. After Gordon completed graduate school, Karen and Gordon went on to build their first home in North St. Paul, where they started their family and developed a beloved community of lifelong friends. They later moved to White Bear Lake to continue raising their three boys and enjoy the strong hockey community, building more cherished lifelong friendships.

Karen's talents and skills as a nurse were recognized early on when she started her career at the University of Minnesota where she advanced to be the head nurse on the pediatric hospital unit. She then transitioned to working in the pediatric clinic where she was introduced to what became a love and passion for caring for patients with cystic fibrosis (CF). Karen was a devoted caregiver and fierce advocate to her core, which was exemplified through her work at the University of Minnesota Cystic Fibrosis Center, where she remained for the rest of her career. She was inspired by the hope for finding a cure for cystic fibrosis working tirelessly as she supported patients alongside her dedicated team at the University. She took great joy in always being there for the families she cared for, exuding love and care, and making countless lives better as she provided invaluable triage, advising, guidance, comfort and support in their journeys with the illness. Karen also went on to complete her Master's in Nursing in 1995 from Bethel University. As the years passed, and science progressed before her eyes, and cystic fibrosis patients' life expectancy went from barely living past their teens to living up to age 60, Karen marveled at the opportunity to support her patients into adulthood as they celebrated milestones including marriages and the opportunity to become parents. While Karen retired from the University in 2018 after 50 years as a nurse, her dedication to cystic fibrosis and hope for a cure continued.

Her grit and determination enabled her to work full time in a challenging field, parent three active sons, and attend every grandchild's important event. Throughout her career as a nurse, as a friend, and especially as a mother and grandmother, Karen continually put the needs of others above her own making life better for everyone around her. Her retirement gave her the opportunity to volunteer at the Community Resource Center of St. Andrew's Church where her smile and warmth was a gift to many.

She will be deeply missed and is survived by her loving husband of 56 years, Gordon; and her children, Jason (Shelby), Jared (Amelia), and Jon (Kristina). She delighted in her grandchildren Elin, Hanley, Ingrid, Aubrey, Maverick, Eve, Mira, and Wesley, and she showered them with love and adoration. They all lit up whenever they got to see their Grammy, who was described as the best in the world and galaxy. She is also survived by her close siblings, Gary (Diane) Gronseth, and JoAnn (Alan) Kettering; and many adoring nieces, nephews and friends. Karen's faith in God, dedication to her family, her relationships, her patients and their families, and the hope and love she brought into this world will continue to inspire us and live in each of us who were lucky enough to know and be loved by her.

Memorial service will be at 10:00am Monday, March 31 at ST. ANDREW'S LUTHERAN CHURCH, 900 Stillwater Road, Mahtomedi, with visitation beginning at 9:00am, and a lunch gathering at 11:00am to follow the service. Memorials preferred to the Cystic Fibrosis Foundation. https://www.cff.org/donate