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Peggy Beth Karnes-Ross

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Peggy Beth Karnes-Ross, age 71 passed away peacefully surrounded by her family on Tuesday, July 8, 2025, after a long battle of lung cancer and leukemia in Burtrum, MN.
A Celebration of Life will be held at 11 a.m. Saturday, July 26 at the Lillian Building in Osakis, MN.
Peggy was born January 17, 1954, to Calvin and Exelda (Zelda) Karnes in Little Falls, MN. Growing up she lived in Grey Eagle, Sauk Centre, Osakis and was the third oldest out of nine children. After high school she attended Alexandria Technical College and graduated with a degree in License Practical Nursing. Following college, she worked as a nurse at Osakis Community Home for 23 years and then moved onto Knute Nelson in Alexandria, MN. For eleven years she worked at Lutheran Social Services as a house coordinator for the disabled, from there she retired in 2023.
Peggy took joy in many hobbies and spending time with her family. In her early years she loved having a large garden and canning. She strived to make sure that her kids and grandkids knew that she loved and cared about them deeply. Fishing, swimming, baking, cooking, and sleepovers were some of the things she enjoyed the most with her grandkids. Peggy always wanted to make sure her family was together and cherished her time spent with her siblings and enjoyed her sister’s luncheons. Recently she had been spending time feeding and watching the birds and admiring all the plants and flowers outside.
Peggy is survived by her children Tina Karnes of Melrose, Al Arvidson of Alexandria, Denny Arvidson of Alexandria, Teri (Chris) Bense of Burtrum; grandchildren Toshia, Dalton (Jaclyn), Shantel (Kyle), Brandon, Zoey, Tyler, Landon, Jake, Brooklyn (Colten), Sierra, Ryker, Jase Bense; great grandchildren Aaliyah, Nevaeh, Blaize, River; and siblings Connie Hutchens, Kathy Johnson, Lisa (Bob) Colsen, Lonnie (Pat) Karnes, and Julie Carner.
Peggy was preceded in death by her parents, Calvin and Zelda; sisters Sandy Karnes and Jean Rosch; brothers Calvin and Oscar Karnes; brother-in-law Tesmer Johnson.