Karen Tushaus obituary

Karen Anne Tushaus, 86, of Stockholm, Wisconsin, died Tuesday, August 11, 2026 at St. Elizabeth’s Medical Center in Wabasha. She was born July 16, 1940 in Red Wing to Donald and Hazel (Johnson) Haustein. She grew up in Red Wing and graduated from Red Wing Central High School, class of 1958. After high school, she and a few of her high school friends attended business school in Minneapolis. Karen went on to work as a surgeon’s secretary at the VA Hospital in Minneapolis.  
On November 14, 1962 she married Eugene Tushaus in Frankfurt, Germany where Gene was stationed with the U.S. Army. Their first Thanksgiving in Germany was celebrated with six of Gene’s army buddies. Karen cooked the entire meal, including pumpkin pie and turkey on a hot plate and an electric roaster. Those men had the best meal they’d ever had.  Karen even won a cooking contest in Texas when they were stationed at Fort Hood.  Her famous Mock Chow Mein recipe was also featured in the Red Wing Republican Eagle. If you’ve had any of Karen’s homemade pies, you would know she was a talented baker, too. Feel free to call Gene for her Mock Chow Mein Recipe.
Karen and Gene moved back to Minnesota with their son, John, who was born in Frankfurt. They had six children all together. They settled in St. Paul where Karen worked as a dietary secretary and administrative assistant for over 20 years for Wilder Residence East. She enjoyed her work, but even more than that, she loved the many opportunities she had to volunteer. She had a heart and mind for helping others.  A few of her volunteering opportunities included Meals on Wheels, Red Wing Food Shelf, Pepin County Transportation, PTA, Cub Scouts, and Campfire Girls.
Karen had a love for sports and competition that started when she was in high school and continued long after. She played on adult women’s softball and volleyball teams and was simultaneously on two bowling teams while subbing on a third team. Her league bowling average was a remarkable 175. She had quite the box of bowling trophies to show for it. The love of sports was passed on to her two daughters and Karen then transitioned to being a fierce supporter of her girls.
Karen and Gene retired to their cabin on Lake Pepin outside of Stockholm, Wisconsin. Part of their retirement was also spent in Lakeland, Florida where they spent time with old friends and made many new ones. Their group of friends really knew how to live life to the fullest by staying connected and enjoying each other’s company. Karen was often a planner, instigator and hostess for many of their shenanigans that included card parties, camping groups, parades, group vacations, themed parties and happy hours. She also had a close group of girlfriends that met at the cabin on Lake Pepin for many years.
Karen will be missed by many, including, Gene, her husband of nearly 64 years; son Paul Tushaus of Inver Grove; daughter, Lori (Todd) Keute of Grand Rapids, Minnesota; Steven Tushaus of St. Paul; and Andrea (Eugene) Szondy of West St. Paul; twelve grandchildren, Caitlin (Tony), Ally (Erin), Abbey (Pablo), Maddie, Kevin (Ami), Emma, Cayden, Sage, Samuel, Zach, Jonathan, and Sam; four great-grandchildren, Boden, Maclan, Edith and Penelope; one brother, David Haustein of Red Wing; as well as nieces and nephews, other family and many friends.
She is preceded in death by her son, John and her infant daughter, Amy; two brothers, Keith and Jeff Haustein; and her parents. A Mass of Christian Burial will be at 11 a.m., Thursday, September 17, 2026 at St. Mary of the Lake Catholic Church in Lake City with Father Thé Hoang presiding. Visitation will be one hour prior to the service at church. A private family burial will take place at a later date at Fort Snelling National Cemetery. Online condolences may be left for the family at www.mahnfamilyfuneralhome.com.