Karen Sylvia Finnegan passed away on April 17, 2026 in Maplewood, MN at the age of 87. She was born February 7, 1939 in Virginia, MN.

After graduating from Roosevelt High School in Virginia, Karen earned a Bachelor’s degree in nursing from the University of Minnesota Twin Cities in 1962. She was a member of the MN State Rifle & Revolver Association and a lifetime member of the National Rifle Association. Karen was a lifelong hunter and a competitive marksman throughout high school and into college winning dozens of competitions.

Karen volunteered extensively in the community including delivering Meals on Wheels, serving as the President of the St. Olaf Hospital Auxiliary, and providing respite for caretakers in the hospice program.

Karen is preceded in death by her beloved parents Ernest F. B. Johnson and Sylvia Esther (Hajamaaki) Johnson, and her brother Guy Frederick Johnson. Karen is survived by son Sean (& Vickie) Finnegan of St. George, UT and daughter Laura Lewis of Stillwater, MN, as well grandchildren Kayla (& Eoghan) Finnegan McMonagle of Rochester, MN, Clay Lewis of St. Paul, Finn Finnegan of Chicago, IL, and Annabelle Lewis of Stillwater, MN.

A Celebration of Life will be held, Wednesday, June 17, 2026 from 4:00 p.m. to 6:00 p.m. at the Cremation Society of Minnesota (1979 Old Hudson Rd, St Paul, MN 55119).

The family has asked that Memorial Contributions be made to a nonprofit that Karen was passionate about such as the International Wolf Center (EIN: 41-1543539) at 7100 Northland Circle N, Suite 205, Minneapolis, MN 55428 or to the Minnesota Chapter of the Alzheimer’s Association (EIN: 41-1361624) at 12701 Whitewater Drive, Suite 290, Minnetonka, MN 55343.

Funeral arrangements are under the direction of the Cremation Society of Minnesota