Karen Straka

Karen Straka (Butor) passed away peacefully on Saturday, September 17, 2022 at a young age of 57 after her courageous battle with Cancer. She was a loving wife, daughter, sister, niece, cousin, aunt and friend to many. Karen is survived by her adoring husband and soulmate of 32 years, Jeff Straka, her mother Sue Butor (Boggs), her sisters, Carol Brenckle (Gary) and Kathy Raymond (Jeff) and sister-in-law Maureen Butor. She is also survived by many nieces and nephews and great nieces and nephews, Amy Smith (Greg Smith, Easton, Ally and Bauer), Nicole Riegner (Eric Riegner, Jack, Emma and Alora), Gary Brenckle Jr. (Sarah Brenckle, Maddie and Lane), Stephanie Costlow (Eviee), Renee Butor, Rick Butor (Alex Butor, Selah and Chatham), Chris Butor, Addison Raymond, Jake Raymond and Christina Williams (Ryan Williams).

She is also survived by many other family members and friends. Karen was also preceded in death by her father, Edward Butor and her brother, Edward Butor, Jr. as well as many aunts, uncles and cousins whom she loved dearly.

Karen was loved and admired by everyone she met. Whether you knew her for 5 minutes or 40 years, you knew that her love and concern for you was sincere. Her love for her family was overflowing and her kindness was always visible to everyone. Karen and her husband loved all of their nieces and nephews and treated them like they were their own children. However her real babies were her cats. Karen loved her pets and all animals just as much as she loved everyone else. It was not uncommon for her to “adopt” the local strays in the neighborhood, by feeding them daily as well as making sure they had shelter in the winter. Karen regularly donated to her local animal shelters to help save as many animals as possible.

Throughout their married life, Karen and Jeff relocated numerous times. Various places of residence included North Carolina, Alabama, Maryland and Ohio and more recently, central Pennsylvania. In each location, Karen took on various part time jobs to help make ends meet. At each place of employment, she always gave her very best efforts and was always admired and respected by her peers for setting such a good example. However, Karen was always happiest as a homemaker, which she excelled at. Her home was always the cleanest, most well-kept houses in the neighborhood, both inside and out. During her free time, Karen loved watching old movies with her husband, particularly the old classic horror films that she grew up watching Saturday nights on Chilly Billy. She also had a fondness for 80’s comedy movies as well as the classic Christmas movies, especially, It’s A Wonderful Life, which was her favorite of all time. Karen also enjoyed listening and dancing to some of her favorite classic rock and pop music from the 60’s 70’s and 80’s. She and Jeff enjoyed attending concerts to see the classic rock artists whenever they had the chance as well as frequenting the local bars and clubs to see some of their favorite bands. Over the years, it was not unusual for the band to invite Karen up on stage to dance along with them while they played. Karen also relished the opportunity to attend family gatherings during her many weekend and holiday visits to Pittsburgh.

Friends and Family are invited to a visitation on Thursday, September 22, 2022 from 4pm - 8pm at the H.P. Brandts Funeral Home 1032 Perry Hwy Pittsburgh PA 15237. A Blessing Service will take place on September 23, 2022 at 10AM followed by burial at St. Stanislaus Cemetery.

Karen had a great love for animals, in lieu of flowers please make a donation to Animal Friends https://www.thinkingoutsidethecage.org/ In loving memory of Karen.