Jeannine Little Karnes, 86, of Rochester, died peacefully in her home on Wednesday, May 24, 2017.

Jeannine was born June 2, 1930 in Vacaville, CA, the daughter of John D. Little and May Barby Little. She was raised on her family's cattle ranch in Beaver County, OK and later attended the University of Oklahoma with a degree in Chemistry and a minor in Music, graduating top of her class in 1952. There, she fell in love with, and married her husband of 65 years William "Bill" Ernest Karnes M.D.

Bill and Jeannine raised a family of four, as they lived in various places including Oklahoma, Hawaii, Boston, and California, before settling in Rochester in 1964.

As her children gained independence, Jeannine furthered her education, receiving a MS in Mathematics, and then working as a researcher with Dr. Peter Dyck in the Mayo Clinic Neuropathology lab. After retirement, she worked part-time at Ginny's Fine Fabrics as a bookkeeper.

Jeannine loved gardening, cooking, sewing, reading, photography, music, wildlife, and adventure. She and Bill traveled throughout the world together, and shared their adventures with others through wonderful stories and photos. Jeannine remained very active in her community and church up to the moment of her passing.

Jeannine is survived by her husband, William Ernest Karnes M.D.; her children, William "Bill" Jr. (Rebecca), John (Julie), David "Bruce" (Debbie), Carol (Mick); eleven grandchildren; Alex, Kaytlin, Lesley, James, Jennifer, Christina, Christopher, Brian, Jack, Anne Marie and Layla; and one great-grandchild, Eleanor.

A visitation will be held on Thursday, June 1st in River Park Chapel at Macken Funeral Home 4pm-7pm. A funeral will be at 11am on Friday at First Presbyterian, 512 3 rd St SW Rochester, MN 55902 with a one hour visitation prior to the service and a luncheon to follow.

In lieu of flowers, please send memorials to Society for the Support of Neurological Education and Research (Mayo Clinic Guggenheim 8). Please designate donations to Neurology Research.