Karen Marie (Strandberg) Calcaterra was the third of four children born to Hardie and Cleo Strandberg. She grew up in Helena, Montana and graduated from Helena Senior High in 1967.

She attended Western Montana College in Dillon and graduated in three years, as part of the class of 1970. She met Carl Calcaterra at the Wise River Club during college and they were married on July 25, 1970.

She was hired as an elementary teacher by Butte Independent School District in 1970. At the time, women would be fired from the district if they were pregnant. Because the young couple was unable to have children, she and Carl adopted their first child, Craig, in the summer of 1972 and the district was none the wiser. They adopted a second son, Cody, in 1974.

She served as an elementary teacher for the same district for 39 years, earned her master's degree, and retired in 2009. During her tenure, she taught every grade K-6, but landed on her favorite grade, fourth, which she taught for at least the last ten years of her career.

Karen had a brave heart full of compassion. She was a loving, supportive and generous mother. Every year she would take disadvantaged kids from her classes on shopping sprees, and she opened her home to her sons' friends. Her generous spirit touched many lives. She knew no strangers. Even her pets were precious children.

She was active in the community and with her friends. In younger years she played with volleyball and softball leagues in the City Recreation program. She attended every sporting event her sons ever participated in. She volunteered and donated to every charity request she received. In later life, she enjoyed activities with friends including the Professional Educators Organization, the Alpha Delta Kappa honorary organization for women educators, the Red Hats, Gourmet Club, book club, golf, and weekly lunches and coffee dates.

Any attempt to pull together highlights and details does not do justice to her life. She was an outsized personality and presence. In the words of one friend, "She was more than just a friend, she was a fun piece in our lives." She was fiercely loyal and protective, loving and compassionate, and shared herself with great sacrifice. She could light up a room and was a great storyteller, full of quips and good humor. She gave the best hugs. She is sorely missed.

She was preceded in death by her beloved husband and soul mate, Carl Calcaterra, her parents Hardie and Cleo Strandberg, her in-laws Mary and Tony Calcaterra, and her sister Chris (Owen) Gabriel. She is survived by her siblings Ingrid (David) McKinney, Nels (Debbie) Strandberg; her brother-in-law Bernie (Sandie) Calcaterra; her sister-in-law Billie Calcaterra; her sons Craig and Cody Calcaterra, her daughter-in-law Karen Calcaterra, and her grandchildren Michaella Croskey, and Cormac and Cassidy Calcaterra. She was a loving aunt and great-aunt to nieces, nephews, and grand-nieces and grand-nephews, including Sundura (Mark) Laturner, Joe (JoJo) Mackay, Michelle (Dennis) Dowling, April (Scott) Brodie, Bobbie Calcaterra, Greg Strandberg, Chenoa (Zach) Aikin and their daughter Alice, Shawn and Christopher Brodie, and Paul and Kaja Strandberg and their mother Evgeniya "Jenny" Strakhova.

During and since COVID, she was supported in her home by a network of friends and family, including Joe Ouellette, Rosie Raihl, and Georgia Serich, who visited with her every week. The family is truly grateful for their long-time friendship, love and support. This trio discovered she had passed peacefully at home, in her sleep.

Friends may call on Thursday after 10:00 am at Christ Church Anglican Church, located at 1200 Texas Avenue.  Funeral Services will be conducted at 11:00 am.  Memorials are suggested to the Butte Local Food Bank, Chelsea Bailey Animal Shelter, the Humane Society, or Christ Church Anglican Church.