Karen Lois Arett

Karen Lois Arett passed away June 11, 2025, at the age of 82. She was a long-time resident of Albert Lea before moving to Green Bay, WI in 2020 to be closer to family.

Karen was born in Mankato, MN on June 22, 1942, to Lois and Waldo “Mike” Michaelis, and they later moved to Albert Lea when Karen was 5 years old. Karen graduated from Albert Lea High School in 1960 and then attended the Minnesota School of Business, graduating in 1962.

She met Jerry Arett at the age of 15 (and he was 16) at a mutual friend’s Confirmation Celebration. They immediately started dating and were married in 1964, having two sons in the years to follow. They had 61 incredible years together and Karen will be remembered as a loving wife, mother, and grandmother.

She had an incredible fondness for wildlife, music, and loved spending time with her family and friends. Jerry often joked he could have retired much earlier if he had back all the money she spent on feeding the deer, racoons, squirrels, birds, and other wildlife around their home.

Although Karen has been called home, she will live in our hearts forever.

She is survived by her husband, Jerry; her sons, Scott (wife Mary and children Kylie, Ashlyn, and James) and Shane (wife Nikki and daughter Isla).

A funeral service will be held at 11:00AM on Friday, June 27, 2025, at the Albert Lea United Methodist Church, 702 US-69, with a visitation beginning one hour prior. Burial will be held at Graceland Cemetery. A celebration of life luncheon will be held from 12:30PM – 2:30PM at Wedgewood Golf Club, 2200 W 9th St., following the service.