Karen K. Kamann

Karen Kamann, of Sheldon, passed away peacefully at her home on December 8, 2025, following a courageous battle with renal cell cancer and COPD that spanned more than three years. She was 84 years old.

Karen was born on July 22, 1941, in Bemidji, MN, to Lisetta Olson and Marvin Knutson. She moved to the Sheldon area in 1958, where she would make her home for the remainder of her life. Karen was united in marriage to Donald Kamann on October 17, 1984, in Las Vegas, Nevada. Donald preceded her in death on May 17, 2022.

Karen enjoyed life’s simple pleasures and the time she spent with those she loved. She especially enjoyed doing puzzles, playing poker, going camping, berry picking, and traveling by car. She was known as a caring and loving person who deeply cherished her family and always put others before herself.

Karen is survived by her daughters, Debra Lahti of Duluth, MN, and Donna (Jon) Landowski of Duluth; five grandchildren; and thirteen great-grandchildren. She is also survived by her brothers, Mike Knutson of Tony, Richard Olson of Sheldon, and Tim Olson of Eau Claire; and her sisters, Ellie (Larry) LaCasse of Sheldon, Linda Rymer of Sheldon, Liz (Herb) Blaisdell of Ladysmith, and Tammy (Ed) Nichols of Sheldon.

She was preceded in death by her parents, Lisetta Olson and Marvin Knutson; her husband, Donald Kamann; her son, Todd Sage; and her sisters, Jo Edmonds, Sheri Gillis, and Patricia Hollenbeck.

In her later years, Karen was lovingly cared for by her granddaughter, who lived with and cared for Karen and her husband for the past six years, along with Karen’s great-granddaughter. This devotion was a great comfort to Karen and a true reflection of the strong family bonds she nurtured throughout her life.

A celebration of Karen’s life will be held in the spring or summer of 2026 at her residence, with the exact date to be announced. Karen will be remembered for her kind heart, gentle spirit, and the deep love she had for her family.

A complete obituary will also be published in the Ladysmith News.