Karen Anne Boubel, 76, of Burnsville, Minnesota, and formerly of Mankato, Minnesota and Superior, passed away on July 25, 2026, in Lakeville, Minnesota.
Karen was born on Feb. 6, 1950, in Duluth to Roy and Jeannette Brandser. She grew up in Superior, where she graduated high school. After high school she attended the University of Wisconsin-Superior where she majored in music. After graduation from Superior, she received her Master of Music and PhD degrees from University of Wisconsin-Madison. In 1974 Karen became a professor of Music at UW Whitewater and Dean of the College of Arts and Communication. In 1979 she earned the Roseman Excellence in Teaching Award, the highest teaching honor at UW-Whitewater. In 1992, Karen served as administration associate to the senior vice president for academic affairs at the University of Wisconsin System. She was elected as one of five U.S. members of the board of International Council of Fine Arts Deans. She was active in several national professional organizations and was the president of the Whitewater Rotary club. In 1996, Karen became the Academic Vice President and eventually the interim President of Minnesota State University, Mankato where she oversaw six colleges of arts and humanities, business, science, engineering and technology, education, social and behavioral sciences and allied health and nursing. Karen married John on Aug. 4, 1973, at the Concordia Lutheran Church in Superior.
Karen is preceded in death by her parents. She is survived by her loving husband, John; son, Gregory (Micaela Brown) Boubel; and by other family and friends.
Funeral services were held on Friday, July 31, 2026, at the Trinity Lutheran Church in Farmington, Minnesota. Interment was at Riverside Cemetery in Seeley on Aug. 1, 2026. Memorials will be donated to UW Superior Foundation.
White Funeral Home assisted the family. For online condolences, please visit www.whitefuneralhomes.com.