Obituary of Karin Marie Jessup

Jessup (Carlson) Karin Marie May 4, 1938 – April 22, 2025 Karin’s signature style—a zest for life, a deep trust in Jesus, and a spunky sense of fun—marked her 86 years from start to finish. She embraced life with humor, resourcefulness, and optimism. Fear and worry were simply not in her toolbox. Karin had a tender heart for missionaries, struggling students, dogs—and of course, her family. She was known for her tireless furniture refinishing, her rhubarb sauce served over ice cream, and her ability to shine a sunbeam into lives and situations that needed hope. Karin was born to Myrtle and William Carlson and grew up in St. Paul with her older brother Roger. Her childhood was steeped in Swedish traditions and Christian values, and the family divided their time between their home on Jessie Street, their church—Payne Avenue Baptist, and the family cottage on Turtle Lake in Shoreview, where Karin learned to swim, waterski, and skate. As a teen, Karin worked in her grandfather’s bakery and played flute and piccolo in the Johnson High School band. Upon graduation, she enrolled in Bethel College, where she met Dwight, her life partner. They married in 1959 after their junior year, graduated together in 1960, and started a family in 1961, when Randy was born. Elisa arrived in 1963 and Colleen in 1967. Karin and Dwight raised their children in a home adjacent to Trinity Baptist Church, where Karin served on the missions committee. As the family matured, Karin and Dwight started a ministry at nearby Maple Manor Nursing Home, where they led a weekly Sunday service for residents. It was a remarkable 20-year run. Once the kids were in school, Karin followed suit: she earned a teaching certificate from Bethel in 1971 and a special education certificate from the University of Minnesota in 1975. As a learning disabilities teacher, she worked in Roseville schools and later in Indiana, California, and Kenya. For 30 years, she encouraged struggling readers with enthusiasm and homemade milkshakes. When the nest was empty, Karin and Dwight entered a robust season of travel. As Dwight accepted various opportunities in Christian higher education, Karin found her own opportunities to make a difference. She taught in California for 4 years and then in Indiana for 10. Karin and Dwight officially retired in 2004, but God had other assignments for them. After years of advocating for world missions, Karin, at 66, went to the mission field of Kenya. While Dwight worked at Nairobi Evangelical Graduate School of Theology, Karin volunteered her time and gifts at a local school, riding to and from on the bus with the kids. After three separate stays in Kenya and a stint in Boston, Karin and Dwight returned to their Minnesota roots in 2016. In each new endeavor, Karin applied her trademark positive energy, trusting in God’s provision. In her final years, Karin trusted the LORD in her journey with Alzheimer’s, demonstrating how to live confidently with grace and humor. We miss her winsome personality, dazzling smile, and vibrant faith, but we agree with the psalmist: surely goodness and mercy followed Karin all the days of her life, and now she is dwelling in the house of the Lord forever. Amen to that. Karin is survived by her husband of 65 years Dwight, son Randy (Jan) Jessup, daughter Elisa (Jay) Case, daughter Colleen (Doug) Inwards, grandchildren Karin (Jon) Craton, Marc (Elissa) Jessup, Brenna Case (Dan Gurewitch), Micah Jessup, Kelsey (Niko) Birbilis, Elise (Trevor) Thompson, Emmy Inwards, Megan Inwards, Brita Inwards, Lucy (Michael) Woodard, and 8 great-grandchildren. You’re invited to a celebration of Karin’s life on May 20 at Calvary Church, 2120 Lexington Ave. N. in Roseville. There will be a visitation at noon, a service at 1 p.m., and lunch following. In lieu of flowers, donations to Bethel University in St. Paul are preferred.