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

A funeral service will be held 11 a.m. Saturday, Dec. 16, at First Lutheran Church in Blair with Pastor Pam Ciulla officiating. Visitation will be 10-11 a.m. Saturday at the church. There will be a private family interment.

Memorials may be directed to 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 para educator in special education for 20 years at Columbus High School and 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 Sunday School teacher. Karen was also a Boy Scout leader and 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 her 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 special friends Michael Stepanek of Norfolk and Michalee Hodge of Lincoln; and her Good Shepherd Lutheran Home family.

Karen was preceded in death by her parents Robert and 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.

Orginally published in the Columbus Telegram on December 12, 2017.