Karen Marie Schinzel, 70, of Stromsburg, Nebraska, passed away surrounded by her family on January 18, 2025 at CHI St. Francis in Grand Island.

Funeral services will be held Friday, January 24, 2025 at 11:00 a.m. at Salem Lutheran Church with Rev. James Anderson officiating. Visitation will be held one hour prior to the service at the church. Inurnment will take place at a later date in the Stromsburg Cemetery.

Karen was born June 6, 1954 in Riverside, California to George and Kathleen (O’Brien) Bender. She spent many years living in Commerce City, Colorado as a young child. She was the oldest of 3 siblings to brother, Bill, and sister, Sara (Bender) Miller.

Karen attended Osceola High School and graduated in 1972. Following high school, Karen attended cosmetology school and opened Karen’s Beauty Shop in Polk, Nebraska. Throughout her career, she loved developing relationships with her clients and truly became a friend to many.

Karen was married to Lynn Johnson of Stromsburg, Nebraska. To this marriage, she had one son, Jesse of Lincoln, Nebraska.

She was united in marriage to Joe Schinzel of Stromsburg on February 22, 1997. From this union, she was blessed with two step children, Noal Schinzel and Kyla (Schinzel) Gorji. She was a member of Salem Lutheran Church in Stromsburg, Nebraska.

After nearly 30 years of doing what she loved, she retired and moved on to volunteer as a child advocate with CASA of York, Nebraska. She found true passion in being an advocate for children in need. She spoke often of the work she was able to do during this time.

Karen’s greatest love in life were her love for Jesus, her kids, Jesse (Charissa), Noal (Stacey), and Kyla (Thom) and 8 grandchildren, Riley, Brady, Clare, Sydney, Gavin, Carter, Cooper, and Landrie. Nothing brought her more joy than attending her kids and grandchildren’s activities. She loved being surrounded by her family and friends.

She was a wonderful mother who was there when we needed her most, offering her wisdom and support, and love in abundance. She was a friend to many and cherished those friendships. She leaves behind a legacy of kindness and significant strength.

Karen was very passionate about her faith and spent many years teaching Sunday school in church. She will always be remembered by her grandchildren as having a craft activity to do with them and was their biggest supporter in anything they did.

Karen found peace in the beauty of the flowers that surrounded her home. She filled her time later in life crafting and creating beautiful gifts for those she loved. She was the best gift giver and always knew the right things say. She was the most empathetic person and always saw the good in everyone.

Through her battles and struggles with illness, she always found the strength to be with those she loved.

Karen is survived by her husband, Joe Schinzel of Stromsburg; son, Jesse (Charissa) Johnson of Lincoln, grandchildren Gavin, Carter, Cooper and Landrie Johnson; stepson Noal (Stacy) Schinzel of Valley, Nebraska, and grandchildren Riley Schinzel of Omaha, and Clare Schinzel of Arnold; step daughter Kyla (Thom) Gorji, of Lincoln, and grandchildren, Brady Dose of Lincoln, and Sydney Dose of Fremont; Her sister Sara (Marty) Miller of Columbus; nieces Jenny (Mike) Brown of Columbus, and Barb (Derek) Loseke of Omaha; sister in law, Amy (Bender) Frye of Tecumseh and nephew, Cody (Rachel) Bender of Tecumseh; along with many great nieces and nephews.

She was preceded in death by her mother, Kathleen Bender, father, George Bender, and brother, Bill Bender.

Memorials are suggested to CASA for York County or to the family for designation at a later date.

Dubas Funeral Home of Stromsburg and Osceola has been entrusted with arrangements. Dubasfuneralhome.com