Karen Ann Molitor

   KAREN ANN MOLITOR, age 78 of Worthington, died Sunday, April 14, 2024, at South Shore Care Center. She was born May 2, 1945, in Worthington, to Albert and Loretta (Gerber) Molitor. She graduated from Worthington High School in 1963 and then received a BS degree in Elementary Education. While teaching, she pursued a MS degree as a Reading Specialist from Mankato State University. After teaching six years, she entered the nursing program at Rochester Community College and received an Associate degree for RN and continued on for her BS in nursing from South Dakota State University at Brooking, SD, she also pursued a MA degree from Luther Northwestern Seminary with Pastoral Care and Theology degree in St. Paul. Karen worked in many hospitals in critical care and started the Cardiac Rehabilitation program at Worthington Regional Hospital. She also worked as a Public Health Nurse in Jackson & Cottonwood counties.

   Karen loved to travel especially cruising, along with bus tours and adventures via train in the United States and Europe. She was an avid golfer & bowler. Karen was active in many community organizations, Optimist, Girl Scouts, City Band and the Crailsheim Committee Chair. She was a member of the Worthington Elks Lodge 2287, where she was the first woman Exalted Ruler of the Lodge. She served on various committees and boards of the American Nurses Association and President of the ninth District Nurses Association. Karen received many awards in her lifetime some of those being Distinguished Citizen of the Elks Lodge, President Award from the Minnesota Nurses Association and Who’s Who in American Nursing. She had certification from the American Nurses Association in Medical Surgical Nursing and General Nursing Practice. Karen completed the Parish Nurse Program and worked as a Parish Nurse at St. Mary for a number of years. She loved working on the genealogy of the Gerber and Molitor families and visited the German & Luxemburg cities where they immigrated from in the 1850’s.

   Karen was very involved in her church at St. Mary in Worthington as usher, lector, choir member and Eucharistic Minister. She also taught the Mass Servers. Karen was a lay Associate of the School Sisters of Notre Dame in Mankato who taught her and helped her form her strong faith in the Lord. She had great devotion to St. Mary School which she attended as a child. She spent many hours a week as a volunteer and called the children her family. She was a pet lover and had numerous dogs.

   Karen is survived by her niece, Patrice Allen; nephew, Timothy Molitor; great-niece, Alexandria Molitor; two great-nephews, Kipp Allen and Austin Molitor; and a great-great-niece.

   She was preceded in death by her parents; brother, Brad; sister-in-law, Barbara; and a nephew, Brady.

   Visitation will be from 5-7 pm Wednesday April 17, at the Dingmann Funeral Home in Worthington; and also one hour prior to the service at the church on Thursday. Funeral Mass will be 10:30 am Thursday at St. Mary Catholic Church, in Worthington, officiated by Fr. Tim Biren. A private family burial will take place at a later date.

   Memorials are preferred to St. Mary Catholic Grade School in Worthington.

To send flowers to the family or plant a tree in memory of Karen Ann Molitor, please visit our floral store.