Karen Trask Grindle died on May 31, 2026, at her home in Holden, Maine, with her husband, Butch Grindle, at her side. She had fought valiantly for nearly two years with colon cancer, eventually entering home hospice care. Karen had many wonderful friends and beloved family with whom she was able to spend quality time in her last months. She was a ray of sunshine even on her darkest days.

Karen was born in Bangor, Maine on November 13, 1965, the first of two girls of Alvin and Patricia Trask. Karen attended Brewer public schools and was Brewer High School's Homecoming Queen for the class of 1984. Karen graduated from the University of Maine at Orono in 1988, and married Karl Warren "Butch" Grindle on August 1, 1992. Karen was the proud mother of Alexa Elizabeth Grindle, born May 8, 1995.

Karen began her long teaching career in 1988, teaching kindergarten at Abraham Lincoln School in Bangor. She taught for many years at Hilltop School in Bangor, and spent the last decade at Asa Adams Elementary School in Orono, where she loved her colleagues and students, and made lasting impacts on so many children. She insisted on working even while undergoing chemotherapy treatments because she never wanted to let down her students and fellow teachers. Karen enjoyed exercise and the great outdoors, especially running, swimming, skiing, and hiking. But her greatest joy in life was being mother to Alexa, whom Karen adored. Karen was Alexa's biggest cheerleader at every dance recital, cross country meet, and basketball and softball game. Doubling that joy was when Alexa gave birth to her son, Noah, in August 2024, one month before Karen's cancer diagnosis. Karen (and Karen's entire extended family) got so much happiness and love from spending time with Noah, and Karen was so sad that her time with Noah was cut so short. When she wasn't spending time with Alexa or Noah, Karen loved making plans to see her friends for lunch, walks, and quality time together. She also loved spending summers at the family camp at Boyd Lake, one of her favorite places.

Karen is survived by her loving husband of 34 years, Butch Grindle; her daughter, Alexa, son-in-law, Ryan Nadeau, and their son, Noah. Karen also is survived by her parents, Alvin and Patricia Trask of Brewer, Maine; and her sister, Ann Trask and Ann's husband, Matt Manahan, of Cumberland, Maine.

A celebration of Karen's life will be led by Pastor Steve Smith at First United Methodist Church of Bangor, 703 Essex St., on Saturday, June 6, 2026, at 4 p.m. In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to the Karen Trask Grindle Memorial Fund, which will benefit teachers and students of the Asa C. Adams Elementary School by funding discretionary classroom supplies in Karen's name. Donation checks may be mailed to RSU 26, c/o Meredith Higgins, 10 Goodridge Dr., Orono, ME 04473.