Karen Ione McNutt was born May 13, 1942, in Choteau, Montana to Malcom and Lucile Lussenden. She passed away surrounded by her family on October 8, 2023, at the Sidney Health Center.

Karen grew up on the family ranch with her two sisters, Toni and Barbara. Her childhood was filled with love of the mountains, countless hours of horseback riding and memories of a small country school where her grandmother was a teacher. She graduated from Choteau High School in 1960 and went on to the University of Montana and the College of Great Falls.

August 25, 1962, Karen married the love of her life, Walter McNutt. The marriage was blessed with two wonderful daughters, Tami and Kim. While Karen left school to focus on raising her family, she successfully returned to school, graduating from the College of Great Falls in 1970. Soon after, the family moved back to Choteau where they raised their children until 1987 when Case IH prompted the McNutt family to plant roots in the wonderful community of Sidney.

For over 40 years she was a medical technologist working at Deaconess Hospital, Teton Medical Center and Sidney Health Center, retiring in 2012 after her battle with cancer. She made many friends at Sidney Health Center that became family.

Karen’s favorite place was Kauai, Hawaii where she spent 3 months each year. She made numerous friends and loved her time there - partaking in water aerobics, Bloody Marys and whale watching. We will always think of her when we hear the song “Puff the Magic Dragon.” Her favorite performer in Hawaii made her fall in love with the song, the true meaning always eluding her!

Karen’s joy came from serving others. She was active in the Foundation for Community Care Board and currently served on the Sidney-Richland County Library Board. Her servant’s heart carried over to how she loved her family, and enjoyed watching her grandchildren and great grandchildren grow.

She is survived by her husband Walt of 61 years, daughters Tami (Larry) Christensen and Kim (Dale) Roberts, grandchildren Andrea (Olly) Redfern and Tyler (Nichole) Christensen and their children Everly, Boyd and Ellis, sister Toni Litzer, brother- and sister-in-law Bill and Karen McNutt and numerous nieces and nephews.

She was preceded in death by her parents Malcom and Lucile, her in-laws Willard and Ann McNutt, sister Barbara, grandparents, and numerous aunts and uncles.

Memorial Contribution