Karen Kroeker

Karen Willa Kroeker, 67, of Brady, Nebraska, died September 18, 2023 at Stone Hearth Estates in Gothenburg, NE.

She was born July 8, 1956 in Kearney, NE, daughter of Willard and Marian (Jensen) Kroeker.

Karen grew up in the Kearney area and graduated from Kearney High School in 1974. Karen married William (Bill) Clark and to this union four children were born, Marshall, Jason, Jeremiah, and Benjamin. 

While raising her children, Karen babysat for others and was employed at various businesses. Including, Vend-It, Cash-Way, and the Educational Service Unit #10. In 1989 she began employment at Good Samaritan Hospital in Kearney, performing clerical work. She began nursing school in 1990. While still raising her boys, Karen worked nights as a Telemetry Tech/Aide and attended school during the day. She graduated in 1994 with her degree in nursing. She worked as a float nurse for a year then began her 26 year tenure in Intensive Care. Karen was employed by Good Samaritan for a total of 32 years. Life took Karen and Bill on different paths and she moved to a home in Valley View Park in Kearney. In 1996 she bought land and built a home north of Riverdale and in 2007 moved to Wild Horse Valley, north of Brady. She attended Svea Dal Church.

Karen was known for her radiant smile, quiet demeanor, faithful friendship, and strong work ethic. It was not unusual to hear her singing to her patients, and she became a well respected co-worker and nurse. Karen loved the outdoors spending time with her flowers and garden. Many a bottle calf she fed and she helped often with a cow/calf operation. Her hobbies also included furniture refinishing, quilting, golfing, cooking, and her chickens and peacocks. She was always steady and patient. Her greatest love were her boys and the legacy they left her. She was taken from them after a grueling battle with cancer. 

Survivors include her sons, Marshall (Samantha), Jason (Linda), Jeremiah (Meggan), Benjamin (Shari), grandchildren, Lucas, Isaac, Liliana, Kenzie, Keenan, Emma, Owen, Connor, Coraleen, Joseph and Vincent, brothers, Ken (Vicki) Kroeker, Phil (Cindy) Kroeker, Steve (Bonnie) Kroeker along with nieces and a nephew, life long friend Ruby, and a host of friends.

Karen was preceded in death by her parents, Willard and Marian, and her Grandma Jensen.

Register Book Signing: 1:00-6:00 pm, Friday, September 22, 2023, Blase-Strauser Memorial Chapel, 620 Tenth St, Gothenburg, NE with the family present from 4:00-6:00 pm.

Memorial Services: 2:00 pm, Saturday, September 23, 2023 at Svea Dal Evangelical Covenant Church, 1676 Svea Dal RD, Brady, NE, September 23, 2023 with Pastor Dave Logsdon officiating.  

Memorials may be given to the Svea Dal Evangelical Covenant Church.