May 20, 1940 - March 7, 2016 Burial Date: March 11, 2016 |
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Gentle woman, quiet light, Karen Anne Sweet (nee Gallagher) of Apple Valley, passed away suddenly on March 7, 2016. Karen was born in Waukon, Iowa on May 20, 1940. The youngest of nine, Karen was the only one of her siblings born in a hospital. Upon graduation from Waukon High School in 1958, Karen became a novice with the Presentation Sisters of the Beloved Virgin Mary (PBVM). After taking her final vows, she became known as Sr. Judith Gallagher. She graduated from Clarke College with a degree in English and went on to complete her Master’s degree. As a nun, she taught grade school and served as principal of St. Odilia’s in Shoreview, MN. Karen taught at Totino Grace for 34 years in the English Department. Teaching was her passion and her calling. She loved and respected her students, colleagues, family and friends and they loved and respected her. She received the Minnesota Business Foundation Excellence in Education Award in 1983, and Outstanding Catholic School Teacher Award in 1995. In 2004, Karen retired formally as a teacher allowing her to spend more time with her longtime partner, Dick Sweet, several pets, family and friends. Karen is preceded in death by husband, Harold (1989); partner, Richard (2012); siblings, Dorothy Deeny, Thomas, Vernon and Fr. Maurice Gallagher. Karen is survived by children, Robert (Linda), Julia (Bill Duffy), Anne (Wayne Huls) and Leah (Todd) Sweet Slicker; grandchildren, Joseph, Jeremy (Monica) and Joshua Rhodes, Timothy and Gregory, Dylan and Guthrie Slicker, and Austen Huls; great-granddaughter, Sophia Rhodes; siblings, Joseph Gallagher, Idella Bresnahan, Donald and Robert Gallagher, and many nieces, nephews and friends. Visitation 5-8PM, Thursday, March 10th at Henry W. Anderson Mortuary, 14850 Garrett Ave., Apple Valley and also 1 hour prior to the service at church on Friday. Mass of Christian Burial 2PM, Friday, March 11th at Incarnation Catholic Church, 3817 Pleasant Ave., Mpls. Private Interment Ft. Snelling National Cemetery. Memorials preferred to El Centro de Los Pobres, Sacred Heart Church, 214 E Highway 50, Avondale, CO, 81022, Totino Grace High School (www.totinograce.org) or the charity that most inspires you. |