Obituary for Karen Louise French
Karen Louise French, 72, of Mitchell, passed away January 5, 2023 at the Heritage Estates in Gering. Her Memorial Service will be held 2pm, Tuesday, January 10, 2023, at the First United Methodist Church in Scottsbluff with Pastor Joe Schumacher officiating. Inurnment will follow at the Mitchell City Cemetery. Please join the family for a reception and refreshments at the Mitchell United Methodist Church following the inurnment. A visitation with Karen’s family will be held at Jones Mortuary in Mitchell on Monday from 5pm to 7pm. Services will be live streamed on the Bridgman Funeral Home Facebook page.
Memorials in Karen’s memory and honor may be sent to the Mitchell United Methodist Church, the Mitchell Food Pantry and/or the Mitchell Public Library. Online condolences may be left at www.jones-mortuary.com. Jones Mortuary in Mitchell has been entrusted with arrangements.
Karen Stenberg was born November 21, 1950, in Kalispell, Montana to John and Roberta “Bert” Stenberg. Karen loved Montana and growing up in Kalispell with her siblings Phillip, Janice and Suzanne (Suzi). Karen attended college at Pacific Lutheran University in Tacoma, Washington where she obtained a degree in education.
On August 7, 1976, Karen married Douglas French and they were married for 46 years. From this union three children were born: Travis, Hilary and Shaunda. “Family first” was a motto that Karen lived by and she loved her family very much. Her children and grandchildren were the absolute joy of her life and being a “Grammy” meant the absolute world to her.
While family brought her great happiness, so did her career as an educator. For 40 years, Karen was an elementary teacher at Mitchell Elementary where she taught 2nd, 4th and 6th grades. It was not uncommon to be out in the community with Karen and hear a warm “Hi Mrs. French!” from a former student.
Post-retirement, Karen remained very active in the Mitchell community. Karen was strong and confident in her faith, and she was an active member at the Mitchell United Methodist Church. Karen also assisted with the local food pantry, the school backpack program and was the secretary for the Mitchell Public Library. She loved spending time with her fellow retired teachers, reading a good book, gardening and also traveling to spend time with her loved ones.
Karen is survived by her husband Doug of Mitchell; her three children Travis French (Sheri) of Gretna, Hilary Kimball (Joshua) of Omaha and Shaunda French-Collins (David) of Chadron; two grandchildren Taryn and Teagan French; brother Phillip Stenberg (Susanne) of Apollo Beach, Florida; sisters Janice Walsh (Frank) of Thousand Oaks, California, Suzi Clark of Woodbury, Minnesota; sisters-in-law Pat Insley of Sun City, AZ and Jan Nyari of Hampshire, IL; in-laws Dennis (Tyke) and Connie French of Anchorage, Alaska and Ted and Laurel French of Rapid City, South Dakota. Undoubtedly Karen will be greatly missed by many.
Karen is preceded in death by her parents John and Bert Stenberg and her angel baby grandson.
Her family encourages you to live your life like their Mama Karen did. To live life to the fullest, always be kind, give back and care for others.
Memorials in Karen’s memory and honor may be sent to the Mitchell United Methodist Church, the Mitchell Food Pantry and/or the Mitchell Public Library. Online condolences may be left at www.jones-mortuary.com. Jones Mortuary in Mitchell has been entrusted with arrangements.
Karen Stenberg was born November 21, 1950, in Kalispell, Montana to John and Roberta “Bert” Stenberg. Karen loved Montana and growing up in Kalispell with her siblings Phillip, Janice and Suzanne (Suzi). Karen attended college at Pacific Lutheran University in Tacoma, Washington where she obtained a degree in education.
On August 7, 1976, Karen married Douglas French and they were married for 46 years. From this union three children were born: Travis, Hilary and Shaunda. “Family first” was a motto that Karen lived by and she loved her family very much. Her children and grandchildren were the absolute joy of her life and being a “Grammy” meant the absolute world to her.
While family brought her great happiness, so did her career as an educator. For 40 years, Karen was an elementary teacher at Mitchell Elementary where she taught 2nd, 4th and 6th grades. It was not uncommon to be out in the community with Karen and hear a warm “Hi Mrs. French!” from a former student.
Post-retirement, Karen remained very active in the Mitchell community. Karen was strong and confident in her faith, and she was an active member at the Mitchell United Methodist Church. Karen also assisted with the local food pantry, the school backpack program and was the secretary for the Mitchell Public Library. She loved spending time with her fellow retired teachers, reading a good book, gardening and also traveling to spend time with her loved ones.
Karen is survived by her husband Doug of Mitchell; her three children Travis French (Sheri) of Gretna, Hilary Kimball (Joshua) of Omaha and Shaunda French-Collins (David) of Chadron; two grandchildren Taryn and Teagan French; brother Phillip Stenberg (Susanne) of Apollo Beach, Florida; sisters Janice Walsh (Frank) of Thousand Oaks, California, Suzi Clark of Woodbury, Minnesota; sisters-in-law Pat Insley of Sun City, AZ and Jan Nyari of Hampshire, IL; in-laws Dennis (Tyke) and Connie French of Anchorage, Alaska and Ted and Laurel French of Rapid City, South Dakota. Undoubtedly Karen will be greatly missed by many.
Karen is preceded in death by her parents John and Bert Stenberg and her angel baby grandson.
Her family encourages you to live your life like their Mama Karen did. To live life to the fullest, always be kind, give back and care for others.