Karen K. Schneider, 59, of Glenville, formerly of Blooming Prairie, died Saturday, May 6, 2017, surrounded by her family at her home.

Karen was born Nov. 21, 1957, in Austin to Melford and Esther Mae (Barber) Schneider. After graduating from Blooming Prairie High School in 1976, she earned her associate’s degree in nursing from Austin Community College.  While earning her degree, Karen was employed by Whispering Pines Supper Club. She began her nursing career at the age of 16 as a certified nursing assistant at Prairie Manor Care Center. Following her graduation from nursing school in 1980, Karen moved to Adams, where she was employed by Adams Health Care Center as a registered nurse. In 1982, she decided to put her nursing career on hold and moved back to Blooming Prairie to work with her family in the family trucking business. In 1989, the business relocated to Northwood, at which time Karen moved to Glenville to be closer to the business. Throughout the last 35 years, Karen dedicated most of her time to the family business, but still proudly held her registered nursing license.

Karen loved her family very much. She enjoyed spending time with them and taking pictures of them. Karen felt family was very important, which is why she was interested in genealogy.  Karen enjoyed painting, going on road trips with family and quilting. She gifted each of her nieces and nephews with a quilt made by Auntie Karen on their wedding day.  Karen’s family and friends will miss her dearly.

Survivors include her father, Melford (Darlene) Schneider, of Albert Lea; siblings Cathy (Tim) Boever of Blooming Prairie, Terry (Barb) Schneider of Blooming Prairie, Cheryl (Larry) Shoden of Rochester, Brenda (Scott) Thompson of Austin and Rhonda (Dennis) Underdahl, also of Austin; nieces and nephews Erica (Todd) Nelson, Allison (Travis) Hensrud, Christina (Jeff) Getchell, Thomas Boever (Alisha Kramer), Tracy (Mickey) Chastain, Rachel (Steve) Hansen, Mike (Nicole) Schneider, Eric (Shannon) Shoden, Jeff (Kelsey) Shoden, Rebecca (Darin) Voigt, Adam (Bizzy) Thompson, and Dalton and Dillon Underdahl; great-nieces and nephews Arri Meiners, Dustin, Brianna and Hailey Hensrud, Connor and Myah Getchell, Madilynne Boever, Blake and Savanah Kramer, Maria Suchanek, Nevaeh Goode, Israel Klungvedt, Laikyn and Maverick Chastain, Alivia Schneider, Bristol and Harper Hansen, Tucker Schneider, Joshua Shoden, Ariana, Kia and Jaden Lorentzen, Jasmine, Brooklynn and Harlee Shoden, Andrew, Janelle, Wyatt, Elijah and Silas Voigt, and  Ryker Thompson; uncles Vern Schneider and Art (Tammy) Schneider; and aunts Eldora Schneider, Marion Schneider, Maxine (Keith) Bruemmer and Nyla Barber. 

Karen was preceded in death by her mother, Esther Mae Schneider; her brother, Randall Lee Schneider; grandparents Vern and Esther Barber and Art and Martha Schneider; nephew Jason Wayne Schneider; uncles James (Dorothy) Barber, Lloyd Barber and David Barber; and aunts Carol (Lawrence) Oakland, Phyllis (Miller) Jester, Laura Rayman, Ethel (Leslie) Hoffman, Shirley (Darrell) Giles and June Schneider.

Funeral services will be at 4 p.m. today at First Lutheran Church in Blooming Prairie. The Rev. Jeff Sandgren will officiate. Interment will be in State Line Cemetery in Northwood. 

Visitation was from 4 to 7 p.m. Thursday at Worlein-Blooming Prairie Funeral Home, and will continue one hour prior to the service at the church. Condolences may be expressed to the family online at www.worlein.com.