Karen Shaffner

Mesa, Ariz.

Karen (Gjerde) Shaffner passed peacefully Sunday, March 9, 2025, in Mesa, Arizona. She was born and raised in rural Minot and graduated from Minot High and Minot State Teachers College.

Karen taught at McKinley Elementary School in Minot and was a strong supporter of early childhood literacy. She also spent hours cheering her kids in hockey arenas, band auditoriums, and school gymnasiums.

She is playing Yatzee in heaven with her mother, Bertha Tangen; father, Ingvald Gjerde; and sister, Donna (Vern Stevick.) She is held tight in memory and heart by her husband, Larry Shaffner; children Lisa Sohn (Kris); Michelle Shaffner (Stephen Geffre); Chris Shaffner (Cindy); grandkids Levi Shafranski, Abbey, Cupid and Thomas Geffre, Fern and Ilene Shaffner.

There will be a gathering for family and friends this summer in Minneapolis.

Her full obituary can be found at Dignity Memorial online. Cards can be sent c/o Larry Shaffner to 13640 Harwell Path, Apple Valley, MN, 55417.

Published by The Minot Daily News, March 27, 2025.