Karen M. Schwager (Orchard)

Services for Karen Schwager, 76 years old, of Orchard will be on Saturday January 21, 2012 at
10:30 A.M at St. Peter’s Lutheran Church in Orchard. Visitation will be Friday January 20th , 5-7 P.M. at the Ashburn Funeral Home in Orchard. Karen was called home to be with her Lord on January 17th at the
St. Avera Hospital in O’Neill, Nebraska.

Karen Maxine (Stelling) Schwager was born on November 1,1935 to Christof and Erna (Eggen) Stelling at Madison, Nebraska. Karen was baptized on December 6,1935 and May 28,1950 confirmed into the Lutheran faith by Pastor Philip Wirth. She lived her entire childhood on a farm northwest of Orchard
and graduated from Orchard High School in 1953. After high school Karen attended summer school at
Concordia Teachers College in Seward, NE. She taught country school at Summer’s School for 3 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. Also children Roger and wife Terri of
Chambers, son Wayne , daughter Carolyn Petersen and husband Kevin, and son Mike all of Royal. She has 13 grandchildren and 7 great children. Also surviving are brothers Duane of Bloomfield, Lee and wife
Neoma of Orchard, Ken and wife Darlene of Plainview and sister Saundra Biermann and husband Walter of Wisner, and many nieces, nephews, relatives and friends.

Karen was preceded in death by her parents, a sister La Vonne in childhood, a 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.