Karen Rae Reede

OJAI, CA–Karen Rae Reede (nee Larson) passed away peacefully on April 11, 2025 in Ojai California.

Karen was born January 3, 1937 in Kenmare, ND to Wesley and Helen Irwin Larson.

She attended Kenmare schools where she was active in band, art and library club. She graduated from University of North Dakota with a degree in Occupational Therapy and later earned a Masters degree in Speech-Language Pathology. She was married to Roger Reede for 63 years. Roger preceded her in death in 2022.

Karen and Roger moved to Marshall, MN in 1969 where they raised their three children, Susan, Tim, and Monica. While in Marshall, Karen practiced OT/SLP in the public schools and in private practice. She was also actively involved with the Marshall area arts community and was instrumental in the formation of the Art Center there. Karen was an avid gardener and skilled watercolorist and studied with master painters in this country, Costa Rica and Japan. Her works were widely displayed in the upper midwest. Karen and Roger shared a love of the natural world and spent many summers camping, canoeing and hiking in the National Parks.

Over the years, Karen and Roger traveled to many parts of the United States and the rest of world including Great Britain, France, Italy, Greece, Ukraine, Mexico, China and spent a year living in Akita, Japan. Following retirement they enjoyed the lake life at their home on Rice Lake in Paynesville, MN before moving to Fountain Hills, AZ in 2019.

Following Roger’s death, Karen relocated to Ojai, CA where she resided in the memory care unit of the Artesian Senior Living facility.

She is survived by her three children: Susan in Fountain Hills, AZ; Tim (Genevieve Olive) in Minneapolis, MN; and Monica (Jeff Lund) in Ojai, CA; sister Nancy Lund in Salisbury, NC; and brother Tom Larson in Laramie, WY.

In lieu of flowers, memorial donations may be made to The Alzheimer’s Association at www.ALZ.org. The family wishes to extend their deep gratitude to the staff at the Artesian of Ojai for their loving care of Karen.