Karen M. Schwager

Karen Maxine Schwager, age 76, of Orchard, was called home to be with her Lord on Jan. 17, 2012, at Avera St. Anthony's Hospital in O'Neill.

Visitation was held on Friday, Jan. 20, 2012, from 5-7 p.m. at the Ashburn Funeral Home in Orchard.

Funeral services were held on Saturday, Jan. 21, 2012, at 10:30 a.m. at St. Peter's Lutheran Church in Orchard with Rev. Marcel Kohlmeyer officiating.

Ashburn Funeral Home in Orchard was in charge of arrangements.

Karen was born on Nov. 1, 1935, to Christof and Erna (Eggen) Stelling at Madison. She was baptized on Dec. 6, 1935 and confirmed on May 28, 1950, into the Lutheran faith by Pastor Philip Wirth.

She lived her entire childhood on a farm northwest of Orchard and graduated from Orchard in 1953. After high school, Karen attended summer school at Concordia Teachers College in Seward. She taught country school at Summer's School for three years.

On May 26, 1957, she married Robert Schwager of Orchard. To that union was born three sons and a daughter. They moved onto the Hoyle Gibbs place in 1959 and purchased it in 1964, where Karen lived at the time of her passing.

Karen stayed very active her whole life. Many of her activities were at St. Peter's Lutheran Church where she played the organ for many years. She was also kept busy in ladies aide, LWML  and quilting. She also loved to travel, go fishing/camping and playing cards with family and friends. In the last few years she added playing cards on a regular basis with a group of local girls.

Karen is survived by her husband, Robert, of 54 years; children:  her son, Roger and wife Terri of Chambers, her son, Wayne,  her daughter Carolyn Petersen and husband Kevin and her son Mike, all of Royal; 13 grandchildren; seven great-grandchildren; brothers: Duane of Bloomfield, Lee and wife Neoma of Orchard and  Ken and wife Darlene of Plainview; sister Saundra Biermann and husband Walter of Wisner; many nieces, nephews, relatives and friends.

She was preceded in death by her parents; sister  LaVonne in childhood; granddaughter (stillborn); and sister-in-law Violet Stelling.

Family request memorials be given to St. Peter's Lutheran Church Memorial Fund, Orphan Grain Train or Norfolk Mission.                              4pd