Karen S. Young, 79, of Jasper, passed away at 1:15 p.m. on Wednesday, February 9, 2022, at Memorial Hospital and Health Care Center in Jasper, surrounded by family.
Karen was born in Jasper, on July 13, 1942, to Charles Jr. and Alma G. (Krodel) Kuebler. She is a direct descendant of the first settlers in Dubois County, the McDonalds. She married Edward Young on September 17, 1960, at St. Joseph Catholic Church in Jasper.
Karen was the first of seven children. She was an incredibly loving and devoted wife, mother, grandmother, great-grandmother, sister, daughter and aunt. With a continued heart towards family and friends, Karen exhibited an infectious vitality and energy for life, always positive towards and caring for others.
Karen was a 1960 graduate of Jasper High School. She attended Vincennes University Jasper Center where she received a degree in Business Management. Karen started off as a waitress at Yaggie’s, the Jasper Country Club and the Heritage Inn. She worked at Worley’s nursing home. After receiving her degree, she worked at St. Joseph Hospital, Staffing Advantage and became a counselor in Dubois County helping those in need. Then Karen advanced and spent 20 years and excelled in Tupperware, where she worked as a consultant and a manager — creating the team “Karen’s Kounterparts”. She was promoted and awarded a distributorship in Scott City, MO for her success in being recognized for “Top in the Nation” in sales, responsible for servicing a tri-state region of Tupperware. She retired from Tupperware in 1993. Karen had several callings in her lifetime. She had a very strong sense of faith and serving others. She was a member of St. Joseph Church, Daughters of Isabella and Veterans of Foreign Wars. She served her church and community for many years. She was a member of the St. Joseph Stephen’s Ministries, and served on St. Joseph Parish Council and taught religious education classes for many years. She volunteered at the Providence Home, organizing their annual Christmas parties. She was a true witness to her faith.
Karen battled dementia for 16 years. During the last eight years, she was cared for in her home by her primary caregiver, her husband Edward, her children and Home Instead. Karen’s belief in a cure for dementia was so great, she donated her brain to science — to the Harvard University Medical School — to aid the battle in eradicating this disease.
Survivors include her husband of 61 years, Edward Young of Jasper; four sons, Jeff (Deserae) Young and Greg (Bonnie) Young, both of Jasper, Bryan (Jackie) Young of Huntingburg and Rodney (Andie) Young of Milton, TN; three daughters, Sheila (Larry) Cochren of Washington, Dede (Bill) Britzman of Jasper and Holly (Mike) Sullivan of Farmington, MO; her mother, Alma G. Wagoner of Jasper; 21 grandchildren, 17 great-grandchildren; and wo sisters, Donna Thompson of Tell City and Jayne (Tim) Mattingly of Santa Claus. Karen also dearly loved numerous cousins, nieces, nephews, and many friends.
Preceding her death were one great-grandson, Waylon Embry; two brothers, Gary Kuebler and Ron Kuebler; two sisters, Sandi (Shipp) Conley and Elaine Shipp; her father, Charles William Kuebler Jr., who was killed in action in WWII at the age of 24; one stepsister, Roberta (Jones) Morton; and her stepfather, Albert Shipp Jr.
A Mass of Christian burial for Karen S. Young will be held at 11 a.m. EST on Monday, February 14, at St. Joseph Catholic Church in Jasper, with burial in Fairview Cemetery.
Visitation will be held from 12 to 4 p.m. EST on Sunday, February 13, at the Becher-Kluesner Downtown Funeral Home in Jasper.
Memorial contributions may be to the Alzheimer’s Association, St. Joseph Catholic Church, or to a favorite charity.
Online condolences may be made at www.becherkluesner.com.
