O’FALLON, Ill. – Mary Ann (Katt) Karlsen, 76, died peacefully on June 20, 2024, at St. Elizabeth’s Hospital, O’Fallon, Ill. Mary Ann Karlsen preferred to be called Ann and that is how she is best known. A long-time resident of Portland, Falmouth and Peaks Island, she also spent many winters enjoying the weather and friends in Naples, Fla. Ann was born on July 3, 1947, in Belleville, Ill.

She was preceded in death by the love of her life, her husband, Gustav Karlsen; her parents, Elmer and Mary Gene (Roche) Katt; and her brother, Malcolm Katt.

Surviving are three nephews, Bill Freud, Jared (Allison) Katt, and Bryan Katt; and five great-nieces and great-nephews.

Ann Karlsen was a woman of many interests and talents, who wore a multitude of hats over the course of her life. Before marriage she owned several restaurants, both in the Portland area and further up the coast of Maine. Her last multi-year career was as an interior decorator, with many loyal customers. Many times, her work was shown on house tours and was much admired by all. She enjoyed other creative pursuits such as playing the ukulele and painting landscapes.

Ann was vivacious and energetic, and that energy came in handy when she decided to run the Maine Marathon in her 40s. Prior to her marriage she hiked the 33.2 mile Milford Track in New Zealand, worked as a ski instructor in Vail, Colo. and was a youth roller skating champion. Ann was a powerful tennis player, who enjoyed competing on the tennis courts in Falmouth, on Peaks and in Pelican Bay in Naples, Fla.

Ann and her husband, Gus, married later in life, but they made up for any lost time. They were married for 36 years, and their mutual love of sailing provided wonderful trips on boats of all sizes. Ann and Gus were world travelers, making many trips back to Gus’s family’s native Norway. Among other places, they also explored the Galapagos Islands and the island nation of Micronesia. Ann was very sociable and enjoyed the company of her close friends. She loved entertaining people and had annual Christmas parties wherever she was. But her favorite place to be with friends was most likely at her ocean view home on Peaks Island. Friendships were very important to Ann.

Although she never had children, Ann’s nephews Jared and Bryan, were like sons to her, and they spent most every summer visiting her, traveling from her hometown of St. Louis, Ill. to the island. Ann also had a special relationship with Heather Lacks, the daughter of a close friend who sadly died at an early age. When Ann’s only sibling, Malcolm, was battling cancer, Ann shaved her head to be in solidarity with him, although unfortunately it was a battle he did not win. As her own life was ebbing, Ann reconnected with her religious roots, attending both St. Christopher’s Catholic Church and well as Brackett Memorial on Peaks Island.

A memorial gathering will be held at The TEIA (Trefethen) Club, Peaks Island, on Sunday, July 7, from 1 p.m. to 4 p.m. Casco Bay Lines has a ferry boat leaving Portland at 11:15 a.m. and at 12:15 p.m.

Arrangements by George Renner and Sons Funeral Home, Belleville, Ill.

In lieu of flowers, consider a donation to your preferred charity. Condolences may be expressed to the family online at http://www.rennerfh.com.

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