Karen Ann Ruschmann Sprint

Karen Ann Ruschmann Sprint passed away Thursday, May 1, 2025, at the age of 73 after a courageous battle with Lewy Body Dementia and Parkinson’s Disease. She was born to John and Jeanette Ruschmann on January 29, 1952 in Baltimore, Maryland. The family moved to Peterson, Minnesota when Karen was in second grade and made their home there. Karen’s first and best friend for life was her sister, Jackie. They were thirteen months apart and each other’s person from the beginning.

Karen graduated from Peterson High School in 1970. She was a free spirit and adventurous to her core and lived in Hawaii before moving to Mankato, Minnesota where she would meet the love of her life, Mark Sprint. They enjoyed traveling and had many adventures on the motorcycle traveling the country. Eventually, they settled in St. Cloud, Minnesota.

Karen was a voracious reader and was known to her family and friends for her lists and reviews of books she had read. She was also a music lover and loved all things Rolling Stones first and foremost. She and Mark attended many, many concerts and through Mark’s work in radio, met many music celebrities-Johnny Cash, Garth Brooks, Alan Jackson, and Trisha Yearwood to name a few.

Karen adored animals of all kinds and had a special place in her heart for rescuing cats. Most recently she had Stella and Stanley, but all of her cats over the years were her joy. She enjoyed being on the lake- usually reading while Mark was fishing. Karen enjoyed cooking and baking and her recipe cards will be handed down for years to come. She especially enjoyed time with family and her large extended family and was always up for a celebration. Karen and Mark loved camping and traveling and spent many days exploring state parks and campgrounds. They also enjoyed spending time in Tucson, Arizona and San Francisco, California.

Karen is preceded in death by her father and mother, John and Jeanette (Malmin) Ruschmann; her beloved husband, Mark; her sister, Jacalyn (Kenneth) Pederson. She is survived by nieces, nephews and grand nieces and nephews who were beneficiaries of her love and kindness, and who will miss her dearly. She is also survived by a large extended family and many dear friends who she considered family.

Karen’s memory will live on in those of us who were so lucky to know her- her adventurous spirit, her tenacity and quick wit, her practical and quiet way of living life, her love of music and her loyalty to family and friends.

A ceremony to celebrate Karen’s life will be held on Wednesday, May 28 at 12pm at the Minnesota State Veterans Cemetery in Preston, Minnesota, where she will be laid to rest with Mark.