Karen Lea Habbestad

Karen Lea (Minzel) Habbestad completed her baptism on June 20, 2026. Born in Colville, Washington, she was the daughter of Dr. Wesley and Meredith Minzel. A 1962 graduate of Whitworth University, she met the love of her life, John Habbestad, whom she married in 1960. 

She was employed at Whitworth Community Presbyterian Church over a period of 16 years and was the director of lay ministries when she left Whitworth Church to join the staff at Whitworth University. She was the associate director of alumni and parent relations at the time of her retirement in 2007. 

A devoted wife and mother, her greatest joy was caring for her husband and children. In later years, she took great pleasure in her six beautiful grandchildren. A woman of deep personal faith, she served several terms as a church officer and was on a variety of church committees. Committed to missions, she took four short-term mission trips to a remote Eskimo village in Alaska, helped build homes in Honduras following Hurricane Andrew, worked to build a fellowship hall and lasting friendships with members of First Indian Presbyterian Church, Kamiah, Idaho, and was part of a mission team to Ghana, Africa. She served as a member of the board of directors for Habitat for Humanity, Spokane and New Hope Resource Center and was a member of Chapter CL, P.E.O. 

She is survived by two sons, Barry (Angie) and Brian (Heather); one daughter, Heidi (John) Weekly; one foster daughter, Tiffany (Chris) Tran-Parta; six grandchildren; and numerous nieces and nephews. 

A memorial service and celebration of her life will be held at 3pm on Thursday, July 2 at Colbert Presbyterian Church. 

In lieu of flowers, contributions may be made to Colbert Presbyterian Church.