Karen Lynn Petersen, 84, of Overland Park, KS passed away from complications of a stroke on August 11, 2026. She is now with her Lord and Savior, Jesus Christ, who promises us eternal life if we repent and place our trust in Him.
Karen was born on April 15, 1942 in St. Paul, MN to Raymond and Marjorie Gunsell and grew up in the Twin Cities. She was naturally gifted in art/design, played the piano, and was a baton twirler in school. She regularly attended church growing up and into her adulthood but made a decision to follow Jesus and became born-again.
After graduating from high school, she took a European trip with her twin sister, Sharen, a highlight of her life.
She was working as a secretary for the IRS when she met her husband, Dean Petersen. They were married on September 12, 1964. They lived in Virginia and Minnesota, had two children, and then moved to Kansas where they had two more children.
Karen was a gracious and beautiful person inside and out. She loved to plant colorful flowers, go on picnics, decorate, and was one of the world’s best bakers of baklava. She also sent thousands of greeting cards during her lifetime for any situation that arose, with compassionate sentiments that will always be treasured. Karen and her family supported World Vision and Samaritan’s Purse. She was also involved with world missions, sharing the good news of Jesus Christ. She was a devoted wife and mother who loved her family deeply.
Karen is preceded in death by her parents Raymond and Marjorie Gunsell, husband Dean Petersen who was a Lt. Commander in the Navy, and daughter Rebecca Petersen.
Karen is survived by her daughter Erica May (Brad) of Green Mountain, NC, late daughter Rebecca Peteren’s children Dylan and Ashley, daughter Trina Petersen of Overland Park, KS, and son Derek Petersen (Emily) of Marshall, MI along with their children Nolan, Madelyn, Ethan, and Teddy, and twin sister, Sharen Turk (Jalal-deceased) of St. Paul, MN, plus extended family and friends.
The family would like to thank KU Medical Center, NorthCare Hospice House and Porter Funeral Home.
Celebration of Life service will take place on Tuesday, August 18 at 11 am at Washburn-McReavy Hillside Chapel, 2610 19th Ave NE, Minneapolis, MN 55418, 612.781.1999. Interment at Hillside Cemetery, Minneapolis, MN.
In lieu of flowers, the family requests donations to Samaritan’s Purse: samaritanspurse.org.