Karen Elizabeth (Voorhees) Shaffer, 52, of Rochester, Minn., died Feb. 17, 2022, at home, surrounded by her family. For nearly five years, Karen fought ovarian cancer with both grace and courage.

Karen was born Nov. 6, 1969, in Park Ridge, Ill., to Joan (Schneider) Voorhees ‘64 and Chandler Voorhees ‘61. She graduated from Maine South High School in 1987, and from Luther College in 1991.

After college, she worked for Minnesota Mutual, Okoboji Lutheran Bible Camp, and Luther College; all in positions where she enjoyed putting organizational systems into place. She was the owner and operator of the Four Winds Bed and Breakfast in Decorah, Iowa, while pursuing a nursing degree from Luther College. After receiving her nursing degree, she went on to work for the Mayo Clinic as a float nurse and an oncology nurse. Respected by colleagues and patients alike, she touched many lives in the work that she did.

On April 23, 2003, she married John Shaffer in Decorah, Iowa. Together they had two children; Lucas, 17, and Anna, 13. Being a mother was the most profound joy of Karen’s life, and she treasured her children beyond measure.

She is survived by her husband, John; children Lucas and Anna, all of Rochester, Minn.; her mother, Joan (Schneider) Voorhees ‘64 of Lewisburg, Pa.; two sisters, Joan (Steve) Cummins of Palatine, Ill., and Sarah (Voorhees) Hershberger ’96 (Chad) of Mifflinburg, Pa.

Visitation was held Feb. 20, 2022, in the River Park Chapel at Macken Funeral Home and Feb. 21, 2022, at Bethel Lutheran Church in Rochester, Minn., prior to the funeral service with Rev. Anjanette Bandel officiating.

Memorials are preferred to Bethel Lutheran Church in Rochester, Ovarian Cancer Research Alliance (ocrahope.org) or Mayo Clinic Hospice.

Pall bearers will be John, Lucas, and Anna Shaffer, Stephanie Shaffer Martinez, and Sarah (Voorhees) Hershberger 96.

Honorary Pall Bearers are Matt and Jeanne Russell and family, Will and Lena Peters and family, Julio Martinez, Harrison Shaffer, and Terry Shaffer.