Karen Ryan Forsten

Karen Ryan Forsten, age 58 of Knoxville and formerly of Dayton, passed away on Wednesday, July 12, 2023, at Memorial Hospital in Chattanooga. She was born on January 6, 1965, in Ft. Belvoir, VA, the daughter of the late Lt. Col. William Dennis Ryan and Doris (Jones) Ryan.

Karen graduated from Rhea County High School in 1983 and from Auburn University in 1988 with a BS degree in Electrical Engineering. She was a senior executive, chief of staff, and director with the Electrical Power Research Institute in Knoxville for 30 years. She enjoyed watching football and golfing. She taught for Precept Ministries for many years and was a member of Providence Church in Knoxville.

Karen is survived by her husband of 35 years, Ernest Stephen “Steve” Forsten of Knoxville; her two sons, Jacob Stephen Forsten of Knoxville and Ryan Hayes Forsten of Gillette, WY; her identical twin sister, Kimberly (John) Clark of Smith County, VA; her two brothers, Glen (Tammy) Ryan of Harrison, TN, and Kevin (Christa) Ryan of Newnan, GA; her mother-in-law, Ginger Forsten Jennings of Dayton; her sister-in-law, Michelle Holloway of Dayton; and her nieces and nephews.

A graveside funeral service for Karen will be held on Saturday, July 22, 2023, at 1:00 p.m. at Rhea Memory Gardens in Dayton, TN, with Pastor Chad Sparks officiating. A Celebration of Life Service for Karen will be held on Saturday, July 22, 2023, at 6:00 p.m. at Providence Church, 1432 Lovell Rd., Knoxville, TN.

Memorial gifts in Karen’s memory may be made to American Cancer Society, 200 Charlotte Ave., Nashville, TN 37203; Precept Ministries, 7324 Noah Reid Rd., Chattanooga, TN 37421; or Providence Church, 1432 Lovell Rd., Knoxville, TN 37932.

Please share your memories and photos of Karen on her online guest register at www.vanderwallfh.com .

The family is being cared for by Vanderwall Funeral Home in Dayton, TN.