Obituary of Karen Marie Engen

Karen Marie Engen, 61, Duluth, Minn., passed Feb. 18, 2016 at Essentia Health Center surrounded by her loving family, after a long courageous battle with ovarian cancer. Karen was born in Duluth March 6, 1954. She graduated from Denfeld High School in 1972. She was employed as an RN at St. Mary's/Essentia for 28 years and loved working with her ER family. Karen was St. Mary's Medical Center 2008 employee of the year. She loved her family, sewing, crafts, and vacationing in Florida. Her sense of humor, genuine personality, and smile will be greatly missed. She was preceded in death by her parents Kauko and Louise Pursi, brothers Robert and John Pursi, and infant sister Esther. Karen is survived by her lifelong partner Marty Stepinski; children Shaylind (Matt) Standing and their children Olivia and Zerin of Austin, Texas, Brandon Colombe of Duluth, and Michael Engen of Rapid City, S.D.; siblings Linda (Dean) Towle, Nancy Pursi and David (Dawn) Pursi; and numerous nieces and nephews. VISITATION: 9 a.m. until the 10 a.m. service Thursday, Feb. 25 in the Cremation Society of Minnesota, 4100 Grand Ave., Duluth. Reception to follow.