Karen Tjostem, age 87, of Decorah, Iowa, passed away Monday, December 22, 2025, at Barthell Eastern Star in Decorah, Iowa.

Karen Louise (Voxland) Tjostem was born on June 10,1938 in St. Paul, Minnesota to Alice and Melvin Voxland. Karen’s first home was in White Bear Lake, MN. Shortly after they moved to Red Wing, MN. Karen was joined by a brother six years later, Phillip Voxland. The family moved to Menominee, MI for one year when Karen was in fourth grade, and then a final move to Rochester, MN. Karen graduated from John Marshall HS. in Rochester. She attended Rochester Junior college and then Concordia College in Moorhead, MN. She graduated with a BA in Elementary Education in 1960. After graduating she taught for one year in Owatonna, MN. She met her future husband John Tjostem while attending Concordia. Karen and John were united in marriage June 24, 1961, and spent almost their entire married life in Decorah, IA.

Karen’s most cherished role was raising their three children Paul (Anne), David (Kathy) and Ann (Jim Kephart), and nurturing and being a large part of her grandchildren’s lives. Allison, Peter, Linnea, Andrew, Kaitlin, Patrick and Kasia as well as the recent addition of Sean, Logan, and Joey.

In 1966 Karen & John purchased a small cabin in Vining, MN, before they even owned a house. The cabin brought them many years of joy. Karen and John enjoyed fishing, swimming, remodeling, time with family and friends, watching the birds, and especially the loons. In 1991 the Sundholm family cabin in Ely, MN also became another spot that Karen’s love of nature was fulfilled.

Karen was active in Decorah Lutheran Church in many areas from choir, decorating, bible studies, Nordic Fest dinners, and welcoming and teaching the Hmong families that had relocated to Decorah. Karen was also involved in Luther College Women’s club, was an active volunteer at Vesterheim’s Norwegian American Museum and the Garden club. Karen loved taking pictures and creating beautiful photo albums of her family and her trips. Karen traveled to Norway, Sweden, Canada, Alaska, Hawaii and many places in the continental United States. She especially loved trips taken with “the Bio Group”, John's Luther College faculty colleagues and wives. The friendship and bonds of this group have been an inspiration to all of us.

Karen is preceded in death by her parents, her son David, her husband John, and brother-in-law Ed Christopherson. Family left to enjoy her legacy are son Paul Tjostem and his wife Anne Collingwood, daughter Ann and Jim Kephart, and daughter-in-law Kathy Dobney. Grandchildren and great grandchildren Allison & Andrew Tjossem -Henrik, Iver, Sigrid & Soren, Peter & Alice Kephart -John & Lola, Linnea & Dylan Henning- Leander & Ellis, Andrew & Gracie Kephart, Kaitlin Tjostem, Patrick Johnson, Kasia & John Syverud, Sean Collingwood, Logan & Madison Collingwood, and Joey Collingwood. Brother Phillip Voxland, sister-in-law Sylvia Christopherson, nephew Mark & Kay Christopherson & family, and niece Sara and Jay Schuler & family.

A Celebration of Life will be held at 11:00 a.m. on Monday, April 6, 2026, at Decorah Lutheran Church, 309 Winnebago St, Decorah, IA 52101, with Pastor Peter Kowitz presiding. There will be lunch and time to visit following the service. The family will have a private burial.

No visitation prior to the service, please come in and be seated.

In Lieu of flowers, please send memorials to Luther College for the John Tjostem Undergraduate Research Fund. Decorah Lutheran Church, Winn Med Hospice or Vesterheim Norwegian American Museum.