Obituary of Karen Lynn Kisten

KISTEN, Karen Lynn 77, of Tierra Verde, Florida died Thursday, August 19, 2021 at Northside Hospital. Born January 15, 1944 to Frances Marie Buch Kisten, the family left Elmhurst, IL, in 1956 for Florida. Graduating from Boca Ciega High School in 1962, earning a Bachelor of Science degree at Florida State University in 1966, and a Master of Education degree from Stetson University in 1988, Karen then dedicated 39 years to educating children in Pinellas County Schools. Teachers today continue to benefit from the contract advances she made lobbying legislators in Tallahassee and Washington DC. Summers were spent traveling the world with her late mother Frances, and aunt Ruth Bafaro, visiting over 80 countries on five continents. She walked on the Great Wall of China, the ruins of Manchu Picchu, Acropolis in Athens, the ruins of Guatemala, to the Klongs of Thailand, the cobblestones of Estonia, the Panama Canal, Hong Kong on the Star Ferry, and the Alps of Switzerland to name a few of her favorites. As a member of the First Presbyterian Church of St. Petersburg, she sang in the choir, gave the children's sermon and served as a Ruling Elder on the Session. She is survived by her church family along with thousands of friends near and far. Karen, marimba player and dog whisperer, was a true Ambassador of Friendship, whose quick wit, contagious laughter, kindness, and generous spirit will be missed by all fortunate enough to have known this exemplary woman. Calling hours will be on Thursday, August 26, 2021 from 5-7 pm at Anderson McQueen Funeral Home, 2201 Dr. M.L.K Jr. St. N., St. Petersburg, FL 33704. A Celebration of Life will be held on Friday, August 27, 2021 at 11 am at First Presbyterian Church of St. Petersburg, 701 Beach Dr. NE, St. Petersburg, FL 33701. Interment will be at Mount Emblem Cemetery in Elmhurst, IL. The family request memorials to the Shriner's Crippled Children's Hospital in Tampa or a charity of the donor's choice.