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Karen Gigstad, 73, of Blair died, surrounded by loved ones, on Saturday, Dec. 9, 2017, at Good Shepherd Nursing Home in Blair.

The funeral service will be Saturday, Dec. 16, 11 a.m. at the First Lutheran Church in Blair with Pastor Pam Ciulla officiating.

Visitation will be from 10 to 11 a.m. on Saturday at the church. There will be a private family interment.

Memorials may be directed to the First Lutheran Church or the Special Olympics of Nebraska.

Karen Ruth Gigstad was born Nov. 2, 1944, in Columbus to Robert and Lucille (Louis) Rice. She grew up in Columbus and graduated from Columbus High School in 1963. She then attended Midland Lutheran College.

On Sept. 15, 1963, Karen was united in marriage to Ken Gigstad in Columbus. Karen worked as a paraeducator in special education for 20 years at Columbus High School and at Arbor Park Middle School in Blair.

Karen worked 20 years as a volunteer for the Special Olympics. She was on the Board of Directors at the Rainbow Center, a lay minister, confirmation teacher, and a Sunday School teacher.

Karen was also a Boy Scout leader, and a PTO president. She enjoyed reading, traveling, playing cards, board games, and giving swim lessons.

She treasured every minute with her grandchildren and thanked God every day for the privilege of living in America.

Karen was appointed by the Governor of Iowa to represent the state at the National Council of Drug Free Youth in Washington, D.C. where she was personally given an award from President Ronald Reagan.

Karen is survived by daughter, Karlyn (Darnell) Huppert of Blair; son, Jeff (Ann) Gigstad of Red Oak, Iowa; grandchildren, Allison Huppert and Landon Gigstad; brothers. Philip (Melissa) Rice, Ronald Rice and Donald Rice; brother-in-law, Steve Allen; sisters-in-law, Elaine Sacco, Karleen (Bill) Brown and Betty Jo (Gary) Hilferty; very pecial friends: Michael Stepanek of Norfolk, Michalee Hodge of Lincoln and her Good Shepherd Lutheran Home family.

Karen was preceded in death by her parents, Robert & Lucille Rice; husband, Ken Gigstad; in-laws. Pastor Karl and Arleen Gigstad; and many aunts, uncles, and cousins.

Condolences may be sent to www.gasshaney.com.

Funeral leaflet

Karen Ruth Gigstad was born November 2, 1944, in Columbus, Nebraska, to Robert and Lucille (Louis) Rice. She grew up in Columbus and graduated from Columbus High School in 1963. She then attended Midland Lutheran College. On September 15, 1963, Karen was united in marriage to Ken Gigstad in Columbus. Karen worked as a para educator in special education for 20 years at Columbus High School and at Arbor Park Middle School in Blair. Karen worked 20 years as a volunteer for the Special Olympics. She was on the Board of Directors at the Rainbow Center, a lay minister, confirmation teacher, and a Sunday School teacher. Karen was also a Boy Scout leader, and a PTO President. She enjoyed reading, traveling, playing cards, board games, and giving swim lessons. She treasured every minute with her grandchildren and thanked God every day for the privilege of living in America. Karen was appointed by the Governor of Iowa to represent the state at the National Council of Drug Free Youth in Washington D.C. where she was personally given an award from President Ronald Reagan.

Karen is survived by:

Daughter: Karlyn (Darnell) Huppert of Blair, NE

Son: Jeff (Ann) Gigstad of Red Oak, IA

Grandchildren: Allison Huppert

Landon Gigstad

Brothers: Philip (Melissa) Rice

Ronald Rice

Donald Rice

Brother-in-law: Steve Allen

Sisters-in-law: Elaine Sacco

Karleen (Bill) Brown

Betty Jo (Gary) Hilferty

Very Special Friends: Michael Stepanek of Norfolk, NE

Michalee Hodge of Lincoln, NE

Her Good Shepherd Lutheran Home family

Karen was preceded in death by:

Parents: Robert & Lucille Rice

Husband: Ken Gigstad

In Laws: Pastor Karl & Arleen Gigstad

Many Aunts, Uncles, and cousins

In Loving Memory of Karen Gigstad Born Thursday, November 2, 1944 Columbus, Nebraska; Entered Into Rest Saturday, December 9, 2017 Blair, Nebraska.

Service Saturday, December 16, 2017 11:00 am First Lutheran Church, Blair, Nebraska. Officiating: Pastor Pam Ciulla.

Music: Doris Cooksey—“Oh Master Let Me Walk With You”, “He Leadeth Me Oh Blessed Thought”, “How Great Thou Art”.

Private family interment: Columbus Cemetery, Columbus, Nebraska

~~~funeral leaflet and obituaries courtesy of Washington County Genealogical Society. Newspaper clippings and leaflets on file in the Public Library Blair, Nebraska ~~~

FindaGrave # 186119668