Karen Anne (Severson) Donnelly

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Donnelly, Karen Anne (Severson) Beloved wife, mother and grandmother, Karen Severson Donnelly, Age 78, of St. Paul, MN passed away quietly and in the company of loved ones on March 20, 2018. Karen was born on March 24, 1939 and grew up in St. Paul, Minnesota where she attended James J Hill elementary and graduated from Central High School. She attended Iowa State and the University of Minnesota where she earned her BA in English and was a member of the Gamma Phi sorority. After her marriage in 1959 to John Scriver Donnelly, Karen dedicated herself to her family and to her volunteer work with the Junior League of Minneapolis. She and her family lived in Ft. Smith, Arkansas; Edina, Minnesota; Wellesley, Massachusetts; and Weston, Massachusetts before returning to her hometown of St. Paul. Upon her return, she devoted herself to her two greatest passions: The St Paul Chamber Orchestra and her ten grandchildren. Karen was preceded in death by parents, Sigurd and Ingeborg Severson. She is survived by her husband of 58 years, John S. Donnelly; her children, John B. and Jeanne Donnelly, Tom and Fotini Donnelly, Jane (Donnelly) and Tom Herold, Anne (Donnelly) and Kendall Bartsch; and grandchildren Audra Donnelly, Erin Donnelly, Melina Donnelly, Natalie Donnelly, Joey Donnelly, George Herold, Leslie Herold, Jack Herold, Amelia Bartsch and Sydney Bartsch; her sister, Ingrid (Severson) Lund and many other relatives and friends. Karen was a caring, enthusiastic, and much-loved friend. Those who knew her were forever changed by her generosity, compassion, and love of life. A celebration of Karen's life will be held by her family on April 14, 2018 from 4:00-7:00pm at the home of her son: 6491 Nez Pearce Drive, Chanhassen, MN. Private interment at Lakewood Cemetery in Minneapolis. In lieu of flowers, the family requests that memorials in Karen's name should be sent to: Friends of the SPCO, c/o K. Bendel, 5612 - 16th Ave. So., Minneapolis, MN 55417. Washburn-McReavy.com Edina Chapel 952-920-3996

Published on March 25, 2018