Karen Marie (Osthagen) Gustafson, 79, of Warwick, died on Saturday, June 27, 2020 at Roger Williams Medical Center in Providence R.I. Born in Quincy, MA, she was a daughter of the late Sven and Anna (Munnick) Osthagen.
Karen was educated in Quincy public schools before moving to Warwick R.I in 1954 and later graduated from Veterans Memorial High School in 1958. She went on to graduate from the University of Rhode Island with a bachelor’s in psychology, economics and history in 1986 and became a standing member of PSI CHI National Honor Society in Psychology. In 1991 Karen received her master’s degree in industrial organizational psychology from the University of New Haven Ct. In the early 1970’s Karen worked for Hospital Trust National Bank and became the first women to work in the Visa dept. for collections.
After receiving her master’s, Karen opened her own business IO Consulting and went on to work for Mellon Bank as a Supervisor in Training and Development. In 2003 Karen received her teacher’s certificate and became a substitute teacher for the Warwick Schools System. Towards her final retirement in 2018 Karen taught solely at Tollgate High School and was fondly known as Mrs. G.
Karen had many achievements throughout her life. In the 70’s she became a member of the National Organization for Women (N.O.W). Karen participated in several marches for women, one was the 1989 march in Washington D.C. for ratification of the equal rights amendment (ERA). This event drew a crowd of 600,000 that had not been seen since the Vietnam protests of 1969 and 1971.
She was also a prolific reader and writer. Karen wrote a book called Unmindful Negligence published by Page Publishing out of New York in October 2015. As a self-proclaimed political junkie this book follows her research into the “tug and pull” of the American political system. Karen loved the theater and arts. She immersed herself with family and friends and was a long-standing member of Pilgrim Lutheran Church where she enjoyed bible study and was on the church council.
She is survived by her son, Eric S. Gustafson of Scituate, daughter Sharon M. Matson and husband John of Warwick and son Todd C. Gustafson of Warwick. She has four grandchildren, Aaron Woodbine, Nolan Woodbine, Courtney Matson, Taylor Matson, and a great-grandson, Cain Matson and several nieces and nephews. She was the grandmother of the late Kristin Matson, and youngest sister of the late Barbara Farnsworth and Gail French.
Due to current health and safety regulations, a Memorial Service will be held at Pilgrim Lutheran Church, 1817 Warwick Ave, Warwick, RI 02889 at a time and date to be announced.
Funeral Arrangements are entrusted to the Urquhart-Murphy Funeral Home, 800 Greenwich Ave, Warwick.
In lieu of flowers: please give to the charity of your choice in her memory. ww.murphyfuneralhomes.org
