Karen T. Bloom, 80, of Austin, Minnesota, passed away Thursday, June 20, 2019, at her home.

Karen Tonette Kittleson was born on Dec. 5, 1938, in Owasa, Iowa, the daughter of Sherwin Raymond and Ila Irene Viola (Bookhart) Kittleson. She grew up in St. Ansgar, Iowa, and graduated from St. Ansgar High School in 1956. On Aug. 5, 1956, Karen was united in marriage to Darrell Bloom at the First Lutheran Church in St. Ansgar. Karen began working for one year as a secretary for Prudential Insurance in Beloit, Wisconsin. She then worked as a secretary for a lawyer’s office in Austin for two years. Karen went on to a 40-year career working for the director of the Hormel Institute, University of Minnesota, in Austin, retiring in 2000. In addition to working for the Hormel Institute, Karen was also a full-time farm wife and would come home and help milk cows alongside her husband, Darrell. During her retirement years, Karen loved to read, play on the computer, and enjoyed lots of crossword puzzles and word play games. She also enjoyed going camping and the privacy it gave her. Karen was a member of the First Lutheran Church in St. Ansgar. She was very family oriented and especially loved spending time with her grandchildren.

Survivors include her husband of 62 years, Darrell Bloom of Austin; children, Kathryn (Leonard) Dunn of Alta Vista, Iowa, Diane (Bruce Thompson) Hammermeister of Lake Mills, Iowa, and Julie (Dave) Rye of Austin; foster children; eight grandchildren; 12 step-grandchildren; 16 great-grandchildren and two on the way; one great-great-granddaughter; brothers, Stan (Judy) Kittleson of Blue Grass, Iowa, and Roger (Julie) Kittleson of Waterloo, Iowa; sister-in-law, Maryann Kittleson of St. Ansgar; and many nieces, nephews, other relatives and friends. She was preceded in death by her parents, Sherwin and Ila Kittleson; and one brother, Edward Kittleson.

Funeral services will be held at 1 p.m. on Thursday, June 27, 2019, at Worlein Funeral Home Chapel in Austin with the Rev. Arvid Jovaag officiating. Visitation will be held from 4-7 p.m. on Wednesday, June 26, 2019, at Worlein Funeral Home in Austin and will continue one hour prior to the service on Thursday at the funeral home. Interment will be in Grandview Cemetery in Austin. Worlein Funeral Home of Austin is assisting the family with arrangements. Condolences may be expressed to the family online at www.worlein.com.