Karen Sue Grover

Karen Sue Grover, age 64, of Winona, Minn., died peacefully in her home Wednesday, August 20, 2025, surrounded by her beloved dogs Dexter and Bella, cats Lucy and Ricki, and daughter Cami, after a long and courageous battle with cancer.

Daughter of Gerald “Jerry” and Diane (nee Anderson) Grover, Karen was born June 23, 1961, in Winona, Minn. After growing up in Rushford, Minn., and attending Rushford High School, Karen went on to graduate from Minnesota State College Southeast in Winona, where she obtained her degree in nursing as a licensed practical nurse (LPN). She loved and took pride in her job as a nurse: her passion was caring for the elderly population. During her vast career as an LPN, she worked for nursing homes St. Anne’s, Watkins Manor, and Lake Winona Manor. After retiring from nursing due to health issues, she followed her other passion to help kids and worked part time as a bus aide for First Student.

Karen was an amazing mother who found so much joy, pride, and happiness in being a mother and grandmother. She, with her partner Lance, loved going to her grandchildren Corbin and Isaac’s many sporting events and was always their biggest cheerleader. Karen loved spending time reading: she was always reading at least two books, which she would often share with her sisters Joan and Barb and cousin Linda. Karen also enjoyed attending the Minnesota Bluegrass Festival with her siblings, a tradition started by their mother. She loved going on daily walks with Dexter and Bella and talking with all her neighbors. Karen was a deeply kind, caring, and loyal person. She was very funny, and could make anyone laugh even during the toughest of times. She could also laugh at herself, like when her dog Zeke dropped his tennis ball into the cup of coffee she was holding. Karen was so loved; her memory will live on in the hearts of everyone who was lucky enough to know her.

Karen is survived by her daughter Cami (Aaron); grandchildren Corbin and Isaac; siblings Joan (Burt), Barb, and Bill (Judi); partner Lance; nephews and nieces Troy (child Ava) (Sophia, Tavius and Ozkar), Trevor (Amanda; children Noel, Trevor Jr., Hazel, and Emmett), Ryan (children Jackson, Vera, and Henry), Kellie, Sam, Meredith, Tristan (Abby), and Albina (Nate; children Unaleyia and Liam); and many other family members.

She is preceded in death by her father Jerry, mother Diane, and nephew Trent.

Visitation will be held at the Watkowski-Mulyck Funeral Home, 376 E. Sarnia St., Winona, on Wednesday, August 27, 2025, from 10 a.m. until the funeral service at 11:30 a.m.

Online condolences or memories may be left for Karen’s family at www.watkowski-mulyck.com.