KAREN JO FUNK, age 77, of Worthington, died Tuesday, September 7, 2021, at the Homestead in Maplewood. She was born January 15, 1944, in Fairmont, to Clifford and Josephine (Davis) Ehlers. She graduated from Worthington High School; and later from Nettleton Commercial College.

   Karen married Larry Funk on May 8, 1965, in Worthington. The couple lived in Worthington where Karen worked many years as an Educational Assistant in Worthington School Dist. #518 and then in the mental health field until she retired. When Larry passed in January 1982, Karen focused her attention to raise her three young boys as well as to serve as a teacher, mentor and friend to so many students.

Karen had a heart of gold and has been described as a friend the second you met her.  She was a one of a kind person that was known as Mama Funk to many.  Her caring spirit and generous heart had a positive influence on all the lives she touched.

   While she lived in Worthington she was a member of the United Methodist Church, in Worthington, where she served on the board of trustees and the hand bell choir.

   Karen is survived by her three sons, Toby Funk, Prior Lake; Travis (Tammy) Funk, Hudson, WI; and Thomas Funk (Tina), Rockford; six grandchildren, Cole (Lisa) Funk, Mikala Funk, Logan Funk Allison Rohloff, Ryan Landgraff and Zach Landgraff; two great-grandchildren, Trinity and Jaxson; a brother, Fred (Grace) Ehlers, Worthington; and a sister-in-law, Mary Ehlers, Worthington.

   She was preceded in death by her husband, her parents; a brother, Dennis Ehlers and other loved ones.

   A memorial service will be 11:30 am Saturday, October 2, at the First United Methodist Church, in Worthington, officiated by Pastor Daren Flinck.

   A time of fellowship will be one hour prior to the service at the church on Saturday. Burial will be in the  Worthington Memorial Gardens Cemetery.

   Arrangements are being made through the Dingmann Funeral Home in Worthington.