On March 24, 2020 the friends and family of Karen Ann Goeglein lost a beloved and special woman. Karen was sharp and witty with an infectious personality. She had countless friends and relatives and valued every single person she met. Karen was welcomed home into the loving arms of her Savior, Jesus Christ after a brief and fierce battle with a cancerous glioblastoma brain tumor. The growth was discovered on December 24th, 2019. She passed 3 months later to the day on March 24, 2020. Karen left an unforgettable impression on everyone she met and enjoyed life to the fullest. She remembered everyone and loved spending time with anyone, especially those close to her.
Karen Ann Knaak was born February 10, 1940 to Karl and Fern on a farm outside of Pierce Nebraska. She was baptized at the Lutheran Church in town and was confirmed in her faith in Pierce NE in 1954. She was a strong Christian and held close to her faith throughout life.
Karen’s early years were filled with days playing and working on her parents farm with her younger brother, David, and many cousins. She graduated High School in Pierce Nebraska in 1958.
Her love and care for people called her to Nursing School at Methodist Hospital in Omaha NE. After graduation from nursing school in 1961 she moved to Spokane WA with 3 friends and started her career as a Registered Nurse (RN). After three years she went back to north east Nebraska and worked at a hospital in Norfolk.
Karen took on her next dream and decided to move to Colorado in 1967 with two close friends. Karen loved the mountains of Colorado and found herself working at University Hospital in Denver. Her forward thinking and relentless work ethic served her well her entire career. At University Hospital she worked in the surgery department, recovery room, and finally in the orthopedic department.
It wasn't long until Karen met Colorado native, Paul Fredrick Goeglein, Jr. through cousin Roger Schneckloth and friend Jerry Koehler in 1967. As the story goes, a small group of friends found themselves on the famous Coors tour in Golden. At the end of the tour, the brewery is happy to treat visitors with free beer where she drank more than Paul, which left quite an impression on him. For this and many other reasons he quickly decided she was a keeper.
Paul and Karen were married on January 20, 1968 at Bethlehem Lutheran Church in Lakewood Colorado. Bethlehem Lutheran Church would become their church home for their entire lives. Karen and Paul made their home in Arvada, Colorado where both their children, Michael and Amy, were born. They then moved to Broomfield in 1976 where they lived for 41 years on 102nd Ave. After a lifetime of memories and dear friends made, they decided to downsize and moved to a townhouse which was more conducive to traveling and had less stairs, but really, to be closer to their grandkids, Maggie and Thomas who she was especially proud of. She let them know how much she loved them regularly.
Karen was very active with LWML (Lutheran Women's Missionary League) and was the local chapter president several times. Karen had a huge heart for filling any need for people across the country and abroad. She was a relentless servant with LWML and the Orphan Grain Train throughout her life.
Both Paul and Karen retired in their early 60s to explore the world and enjoy retirement. They loved to travel the state of Colorado and the rest of the United States in an RV. They found comfort and security with each other as they explored America on the “big trip” and tour of the US. Following that adventure, they landed in South Texas and then Mesa, AZ. The ‘snowbird’ lifestyle fit them well with many loving friends and family.
Karen loved to play cards and golf. It didn’t matter if she was playing a short game of Trash, Kings in the Corner with one of her grandkids or a long evening with friends and the Pinochle club, she loved it just the same. Paul introduced her to the game of golf and Karen’s love to be social landed her in many women's (and men’s) leagues. Karen knew that deep connections usually happened around a good meal and she was an incredible cook who provided thousands of meals for family and friends. Baking and cooking for family gatherings, playing cards, and drinking gin and tonics was where her laughter and joy could be seen, heard and shared.
Karen considered everyone she met family and had many life-long friends. She had a great love for people, especially her extended family. She never passed up a chance to visit anyone she knew in whatever town they passed through. Her greatest love however was Jesus. She chased after Him with a pure and passionate heart her whole life. Karen lived by example and had a consistent desire for all to know the love of Jesus Christ.
Karen is survived by her loving husband Paul, her two kids Michael & Amy and their families. Karen always held a special place in her heart for her grandkids. In addition, her circle of friendship, love and influence included not only her family and extended family and so many longtime friends and acquaintances across the country. We miss her dearly and our grief remains. Karen is home now and in the presence of the One she loved so dearly, King Jesus.
Her initial celebration of life was held during the pandemic in September 2020 where many were not able to attend. The service was recorded and can be shared digitally upon request. Her final interment will be held on August 5th, 11:00am at Olinger Hampden in Denver, Colorado. In lieu of flowers, please consider a contribution to LWML.
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