Karen S. (Shumski) Calisto
Last Updated on February 1, 2025 by Cass County Communication Network
Karen Sue Calisto, 86, Logansport, peacefully passed away at home on Friday, January 31, 2025, surrounded by her loving family.
Karen was born on July 6, 1938, in Fairmont, Minnesota to Bernard and Ardis Shumski. She, along with a sister, Mary Jo Sullivan, shared their childhood, which she treasured.
Karen graduated from College of St. Teresa, Winona, Minnesota. She began graduate studies in Hematology at the University of Colorado in Colorado Springs. There, she met and fell in love with Dr. Ruben Calisto. They married in 1961, and moved to Minneapolis, MN. There, she worked in the medical laboratory as a medical technologist at Deaconess Memorial Hospital.
The first five of her nine precious children were born in Minneapolis. In 1968, the family moved to Logansport, Indiana when Dr. Calisto and Karen both accepted positions at the Howard Clinic. After her sixth child was born, she made the decision to focus on her home and family, eventually completing the “Calisto Clan” of nine children in 1977.
Karen spent many hours completing puzzles, collecting angel figurines, and spending countless summer nights at the ballpark watching her loved ones many sporting events. She was very crafty and was Etsy before it even existed. Most of all, her art legacy was creating personalized dollhouses for her granddaughters, which have become family heirlooms.
Also having a passion for science, she helped with biology projects throughout her children’s school years, being known for her magnificent butterfly and leaf collections. This helped many students at LHS survive their classes. She oftentimes recruited her grandchildren to help her collect insects and leaves at “the meadow,” which is known to everybody else as the Berry Patch. She was also a basketball coach and official score keeper at St. Joseph School for many years.
Although she had many hobbies and interests, her greatest passion was simply being a mom, grandmother, and great-grandmother until her last day. Karen is survived by her eight devoted children: Fabian (Kathy), Leticia, David (Natalie), Andy (Jodi), Suzanne (Bruce) Bennett, Cynthia (Chris) Hallam, Christopher (Catherine), Ray (Michelle), a daughter-in-law, Tiffany Calisto; 25 grandchildren, and 13 great-grandchildren, with two on the way.
Karen was preceded in death by her husband, Dr. Ruben Calisto, and her youngest son, Stefan.
Karen was a passionate Minnesota Vikings fan, attending the inaugural franchise game in 1961 at Metropolitan Stadium in Bloomington, Minnesota. She handed down her love of the Vikings to her future generations. “Viking Sundays” became a tradition at Grandma’s house for decades. Her love for the purple and gold will live on forever through her entire family tree, leaving an everlasting legacy.
In her final days, Karen was at complete peace as she witnessed all her family coming to her side, which filled her heart with joy. She repeatedly said, “I’m happy, I’m okay, don’t be sad, I wish you could feel what I am feeling- this is glorious!”
In accordance with Karen’s wishes, the funeral service and burial will be private.
Arrangements have been entrusted to Kroeger-Crain funeral home. In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to All Saints Catholic Church, 112 East Market Street, Logansport, IN 46947.
Condolences can be shared at www.kroegerfuneralhome.com