Karen L. (Wass) Magnus

Karen L. Magnus, age 86 of Hoffman, formerly Glenwood, died Wednesday, October 22, 2025 at the Hoffman Senior Living. A Celebration of Karen's life will be held at 11:00 a.m. on November 22, 2025 at Glenwood Lutheran Church with Rev. Krista Lee officiating. Services will be livestreamed at glenwoodlutheran.com. Visitation will be one hour prior to the service at the church. Inurnment will be in the Glenwood Lutheran Cemetery. Arrangements are with the Hoplin Hitchcock Funeral Home in Glenwood. 

Karen Lorraine Magnus was born to Holger and Margaret (Johnson) Wass on the 30th of August, 1939, in St. Cloud, Minnesota. She grew up in Minneapolis and later near Oak Park. Karen's educational journey was marked by excellence and a passion for learning. After graduating from Foley High School in 1957, she pursued higher education at St. Cloud State University, where she earned both a bachelor's and a master's degree in education. Her commitment to education spanned over 30 years, during which she imparted wisdom and inspired countless students in Fridley Public Schools, the SCSU campus Lab School, College of Ed, and Buffalo Public Schools.

Karen was united in marriage with Douglas Magnus, on August 5, 1961, at Bethlehem Lutheran Church. Together, they built a life filled with joy and purpose in Fridley and St. Cloud, before retiring to the serene beauty of Pelican Lake in Glenwood.

A devout Christian, Karen's faith was the cornerstone of her existence. She was an active member of the Women of the Evangelical Lutheran Church in America (WELCA), served on the church council at Glenwood Lutheran, and lifted her voice in praise as part of the church choir. Her spiritual journey was nurtured at Gethsemane, Bethlehem, and finally, Glenwood Lutheran Church.

Karen's interests and volunteer work were a reflection of her altruistic spirit. She volunteered for Habitat for Humanity, the Glenwood Literacy Club, and the American Red Cross, where she helped with blood drives in Glenwood. She also dedicated her time to teaching adults to read, further emphasizing her commitment to education and community service.

She enjoyed reading and was a member of the Brown Bag Book Club. Her lifelong love of music started early when she began playing the piano at four years old. She also played the organ and enjoyed going to music concerts, theatre productions, singing, knitting and traveling. She liked playing bridge and was in a bridge club with Doug and a woman’s group as well. Karen was known for her exceptional organizational skills, which shone through in her love for cooking and hosting gatherings. She also found joy in cross-stitching and sewing. Yet, above all, her favorite pastime was spending precious moments with her family.

Karen approached life with a stoic grace, always placing the needs of others before her own. Her memory will be forever etched in the hearts of those she leaves behind. She died Wednesday October 22, 2025 at the Hoffman Senior Living in Hoffman.

Karen is survived by her husband, Douglas; her loving daughters, Carolyn (Bruce) Neubauer and Cindy Friedmann, both of Sauk Rapids; grandchildren, Stephanie (Jesse Reinert), Amanda, and Michael (Katie Gunderson) Neubauer, Kari (Loren Jones) Friedmann, and Jenny (Sam) Stellmach. Her life's joy was further multiplied by her great-grandchildren, Brayden, Ellie, and Jackson Reinert. She also leaves behind her brother-in-law, Richard (Kathy) Magnus; sister-in-law, Judie Wass; and her nieces and nephews, Kristin, Kevin, Erica, and Cory, along with numerous other relatives and friends who were touched by her grace and kindness.

Karen was preceded in death by her parents, an infant daughter, Cheryl Lynn Magnus and her brother, Byron Wass.

In honor of Karen’s lifelong dedication to helping others, in lieu of flowers, Karen’s family encourages friends to honor her memory by supporting a cause where they volunteered alongside her, one that holds special meaning to them or they may be directed to Glenwood Lutheran Church Music Ministry or the Hearts and Hands Food Shelf.

To send flowers to the family, please visit our floral store.