Karen R Vanasek

Passed away peacefully on Feb.16. Karen was born in Los Angeles and always liked to refer to herself as a “California Girl”. She was born 7 months after her father died unexpectedly. Her mother remarried and they moved to her second father’s hometown of New Market where she attended St. Nicholas School and then New Prague High School where she was elected Homecoming Queen. She and her husband Alan began dating in high school over 66 years ago and celebrated their 60th wedding anniversary this past August. Karen was the consummate mother to their 3 children becoming fully engaged in their activities and providing unlimited love and support. She served as a Campfire Girls leader and volunteered at Nativity Church and School. The birth of 9 grandchildren opened up a whole new world for her and she enjoyed this new stage in her life immensely. She and Alan loved to travel and enjoyed many trips to Europe, Canada, Mexico, Hawaii, and the Caribbean Islands. She especially enjoyed their winter stays on St. Pete Beach for over 25 years. She loved to dance and crank up the stereo and belt out songs while working around the house. She would encourage the kids to sing along and “let it all hang out”. Karen will always be remembered by all who knew her for her warm and loving personality and her glorious smile. She was one of those special people who made you a better person just for having known her. She will be tremendously missed by her family and many friends. She is survived by her husband Alan, children Jenny Hennes, Douglas Vanasek (Meredith), and Amy Ellis; grandchildren Douglas Jr. (Molly), Carter, Michael, Ellie, Daniel, Mary, Bobby, Billy and Terese; sister Linda Zweber.; and in-laws Marlene Vanasek, Bob and Mary Vanasek, Jean Piazza, and Tom and Meg Vanasek and life long special friend Joanie Hoffman. Preceded in death by parents Leo and Frances Eischens, natural father Carl Moulton, and brothers-in-law Rick Vanasek, Ken Piazza, and Lyle Zweber. 

A visitation will be held Wednesday, February 26, from 3-7pm at O'Halloran & Murphy Funeral Home, 575 Snelling Ave S, St Paul, MN 55116. The funeral Mass will be Thursday, February 27, at 11am with a visitation 1 hour before at Church of St Joseph, 1154 Seminole Ave, West St Paul, MN 55118. A burial service will take place at a later date at St. Wenceslaus Cemetery in New Prague.

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