Karen Blackbird (Kortus)

Karen Marie Blackbird (Kortus), 64, of Brainerd, passed away peacefully on Feb. 12, 2023. A native of Maplewood, Karen was one of 10 children born to Donald and Gloria Kortus (deceased). Karen married John Blackbird in 1983, and the couple proudly celebrated 34 years of marriage at the time of John’s death in 2017.

Karen is survived by siblings: Steve (Teresa), Richard (Rebecca), Lee Ann (Larry) Mjolsness, Diane Kortus (Vic Anthony), Dan (Jody), Tom (Sue), Jim (Nickie), Donna (Lee) Neihart and Trisha Schlingman. She is also survived by stepmother Bettye Kortus, brother-in-law Leroy (Marge) Blackbird, step-sons Joe (Susan) Blackbird and Jim (Becky) Blackbird and grandchildren Michael, Casey and Chase. Step-siblings are Frank McLeod, Shawn McLeod (Dan Bresnahan) and Sheri McLeod. Karen was adored and loved by her many nieces and nephews and grand nieces and nephews.

Karen and John lived in Inver Grove Heights before moving to Mora in 1999, where they operated Blue Moon Kennels and bred and trained Labrador Retrievers. Karen also competed with her dogs in state, regional and national AKC Retriever Hunt Tests.

Karen moved to Brainerd three years ago to live close to sister Lee Ann Mjolsness, who was her best friend and advocate. Lee Ann oversaw Karen’s care at Northern Lakes Senior Care, where Karen was an active and much-loved resident. Karen was an integral part of Lee Ann’s and Larry’s immediate family in Brainerd — Amelia Mjolsness, Rusty Mueller and daughter Avery, and Alesha and Jessie Bates and children Lewis and Lenna —and in Roseville, Eric and Molly Mjolsness and daughters Lucy and Emmie.

Karen was a Registered Nurse who bravely faced and conquered many challenges, including breast cancer, John’s sudden death and her diagnosis in 2015 of Posterior Cortical Atrophy, a rare form of dementia. Karen was especially proud to be 19 years sober through the support of the Mora Brunswick Tuesday Evening Chapter of Alcoholics Anonymous.

For the past eight years, Karen bravely participated in clinical trials at the Mayo Clinic Alzheimer’s Disease Research Center, including donating her brain to help researchers find treatments and ultimately a cure for this cruel disease.

Karen loved “airing” her dogs, hunting, gardening, nature, spending winters in Thomasville, GA and traveling with John on their Harley Davidson adventures. She was a longtime member of St. Mary’s Catholic Church in Mora, MN, and attended weekly Mass at Northern Lakes Senior Care.

Mass of Christian Burial is at 11 a.m., Saturday, Feb. 18 at the Church of St. Patrick’s, 3535 72^nd St. East, Inver Grove Heights, with interment immediately following Mass at St. Patrick’s Cemetery, 10499 Rich Valley Blvd, Inver Grove Heights. Visitation is one hour before Mass. A luncheon reception to celebrate Karen’s joyous life will be at Axels restaurant, 1318 Sibley Memorial Hwy. in Mendota, from 1 to 3 p.m.

Donations are preferred to St. Mary’s Catholic Church, 201 Forest Ave. E., Mora MN 55051 www.fourpillarsinfaith.org; or the H.A.R.T (Heartland Animal Rescue Team), 15494 Dellwood Dr., Brainerd, MN 56401 www.hartpets.org. Arrangements have been entrusted to Brenny Family Funeral Chapel in Baxter, MN (www.brenny.com).