Karen Kay Skifstad

Karen Skifstad passed into the loving arms of her Lord and Savior on November 23, 2025. She was born in Hallock, Minnesota, to Walter and Mary Jane (Lucas) Kleppe and grew up on the family farm in Littlefork, Minnesota. As a child, Karen was a very hard worker and loved helping her mom and dad with cleaning, cooking, chopping wood, and all the chores that go along with being raised on a farm. Her older brother Dennis was her best friend growing up, and she was heartbroken when he died at 18 years old.

After graduating from high school, she attended Pillsbury Baptist Bible College in Owatonna, Minnesota, for two years. In 1960, she married the love of her life, Donavan Skifstad. They made their home in International Falls, MN, where Karen worked at First National Bank for 25 years as a teller and later as a loan officer. They were blessed with a son, Ron, in 1962 and a daughter, Rhonda, in 1967.

Life brought the family to Walla Walla in 1985. They became members of the First Church of God (Blue Mountain Community Church), where she faithfully served the rest of her life.

Karen retired from Thompson & Kreitzberg after 20 years. Donavan and Karen were happily married for 61 years. She loved gardening and had a yard full of beautiful flowers and plants. She enjoyed feeding the birds and squirrels, listening to Christian and country music, and being a wife, mother, and grandmother. She was a great cook, and the family enjoyed Sunday dinners together, eating and playing games. Her Christmas baking was always a favorite for family and friends.

Karen suffered from Alzheimer’s for several years with Donavan as her caregiver up until his death in 2022. She spent her last years under the care of the staff at Parkview Memory Care facility at Wheatland Village.

Karen was preceded in death by her husband, Donavan Skifstad; her parents; brother, Dennis Kleppe; sister-in-law, Debbie Kleppe; and niece, Shelly (Kleppe) Leseman.

She will be greatly missed by her son, Ron (Kim) Skifstad of Walla Walla; daughter, Rhonda (Raymond) Partridge of Walla Walla; grandchildren, Matthew Skifstad, Ariel Skifstad, and Alexys (Partridge) Flippo; brothers, Donald (Shirley) Kleppe of Littlefork, MN, Keith Kleppe of Littlefork, David (Kathy) Kleppe of Bismarck, ND; and many nieces, nephews, and friends.

Family and friends are invited to join in remembering Karen at a celebration of life in the spring of 2026.

Donations may be made to Blue Mountain Community Church, Blue Mountain Humane Society, or a charity of your choice through the Herring Groseclose Funeral Home, 315 W Alder St, Walla Walla, WA 99362. Friends and Family are invited to sign the online guestbook at www.herringgroseclose.com.