Karen Fay Pettigrew

KAREN FAY PETTIGREW, age 80 of Waseca, died at her home surrounded by her family on the morning of Friday, September 26, 2025.

Born in Minneapolis on November 27, 1944, Karen was the daughter of Howard Sumner and Fay Eileen (Bashore) Stiff. She grew up in St. Louis Park and Hopkins, Minnesota. She attended Minnesota State University – Mankato from 1962 until 1966, and the last year in an internship at Hennepin General Hospital in Minneapolis. She graduated Summa Cum Laude with a four-year degree in medical technology. She worked briefly as a medical technologist at St. Joseph’s Hospital in Mankato and later for the Mankato Heart Health Project, a research project through the University of Minnesota. While in school she participated in Latin Club, National Honor Society, Girl Scouts, and Band. Karen met Quintin Pettigrew (from Cannon Falls) during her college years and they married in 1967. They lived and raised their family in Mankato during the first 35 years of their life together and moved to Waseca in 2002. Karen’s interests included Bible Study Fellowship, Waseca Monday Study Club, reading, cooking (always something healthy), quilting, and sewing of all kinds.

Karen is survived by her husband Quintin of Waseca; four daughters, Kara Pettigrew (Sam Basho) of Lake Elmo, Kayla Pettigrew (Libier Bermudez) of Des Moines, IA, Jennifer Kust (fiancé Jeff Erickson) of Hudson, WI, and Bethany Meyer (Brandon Meyer) of McKinney, TX; eight grandchildren; two step-grandchildren; and one great-grandson. She was preceded in death by her parents.

A viewing and graveside interment service will begin at 9:30 a.m. on Tuesday, September 30, 2025 at the Cannon Falls Cemetery.

A memorial service will be held at 2:00 p.m. on Tuesday, September 30, 2025 at First Congregational Church in Waseca, with Rev. Derrick Skoglund officiating. Visitation will be held from 1:00 p.m. until the time of the service at the church. In lieu of flowers, memorial donations in memory of Karen are preferred.