Obituary of Karen Holmen Hubbard

Karen Holmen Hubbard

November 7, 1936 – August 12, 2024

Hubbard, Karen Holmen of St. Mary’s Point, MN passed away peacefully on August 12, 2024, while comforted by the love of her husband of 65 years, Stanley S. Hubbard. Karen was born in Saint Paul, MN on November 7, 1936. Her father was a doctor specializing in eye, ear, nose and throat and she worked in his office and also volunteered as a candy-striper at Gillette Children’s Hospital in the summers when she wasn’t racing sailboats on White Bear Lake. In 1954, Karen graduated from Central High School in Saint Paul and then went to Gustavus Adolphus College where she earned a degree in education, with a special interest in art and English, in 1958. After college, Karen taught both elementary school art and English in Roseville, MN until she married Stanley S. Hubbard in 1959.

Karen was active in her communities throughout her life of nearly 88 years. With a gubernatorial appointment, she served on the Minnesota-Wisconsin Boundary Area Commission where she helped shape policy for the St. Croix River after it was designated a National Scenic Waterway. After living on the St. Croix River year round, her husband would plow a skating rink for their kids, but after his jeep went through the ice, Karen was instrumental, along with Stanley and a few generous neighbors, in establishing and building the Lower St. Croix Valley Youth Center in 1968 which is still an operating ice arena near their home in St. Mary’s Point, MN that provides skating, hockey and curling opportunities for kids and families in the area. Karen also served as a director on many boards, including the Minnesota Orchestra and Children’s Home Society.

After starting their family, Karen continued her active support of her husband Stanley as he followed in his dad’s footsteps to help to grow the television and radio businesses while also pioneering satellite news gathering and direct to home digital satellite service. To quote Stanley, “everything we accomplished professionally could not have been possible without Karen’s enthusiastic willingness to be my partner in all that we did. At every turn she offered her best ideas, support and when necessary, challenged my thinking.” Being the mother of 5 children in an 8-year time span meant their mealtimes often expanded to include extras to the family table for Karen’s homecooked meals and she always made sure the kitchen was stocked with treats to be enjoyed by not only their 5 kids, but also countless numbers of neighborhood kids.

Karen and her husband, Stanley, traveled extensively over the years, but especially enjoyed their time entertaining family, friends and business associates onboard MIMI on the St. Croix River, the Florida Keys and throughout the Bahamas. Karen and Stanley have a home in the mountains of northern New Mexico near Angel Fire and spend much of the winter at Ocean Reef in North Key Largo, FL.

Karen is survived by her husband of 65 years, Stanley Stub Hubbard, their five children, Kari (Dan) Rominski, Stan (Jennifer) Hubbard, Ginny Hubbard, Robert (Heidi) Hubbard, Julia (Matt) Coyte as well as 15 grandchildren, Rob (Liz) Rominski, Katy (Luke) Froiland, Michael (Nicole) Rominski; Stanley Hubbard, Ryan Hubbard, Connor Hubbard; Savannah (RJ) Knoop, Wheeler (Milena) Morris; Tom (Elena) Hubbard, Walter Hubbard, Jane Hubbard, Susan Hubbard; Jack Coyte, Nicholas Coyte, Charlie Coyte and six great-grandchildren Nathan and Audrey Rominski; Annie, Eva and Lilla Froiland; Hattie Knoop and at least two more that are on the way. She is also survived by her brother Douglas Holmen (Victoria) and sister-in-law Elaine Holmen Magnuson. She was preceded in death by her father, Dr. Robert Winston Holmen, her mother Ingeborg Thorene Holmen Cook and her brother Robert Holmen (Elaine).

The Hubbard family is thankful for the many friends and extended family who have reached out during this difficult time. A reception to remember Karen will be at the Town & Country Club in Saint Paul on Thursday, August 22 from 4-8pm. In lieu of flowers, memorials are preferred to the Lower St. Croix Valley Youth Center (at St. Mary’s Point) with mailing address at 3415 University Ave. Saint Paul, MN 55114.