Karen K. Lukasiewicz

Karen K. Lukasiewicz, 61, of Farwell, died Thursday, Feb. 25, 2010, at the Howard County Medical Center in St. Paul, after a short battle with cancer. Services will be at 10:30 a.m. Monday at St. Anthony’s Catholic Church in Farwell. The Rev. Ray Kosmicki will officiate. Burial will be in St. Anthony’s Catholic Cemetery near Farwell. Visitation will be Sunday from 4 to 7 p.m. at the church, with a 7 p.m. vigil service. Peters Funeral Home of St. Paul is in charge of arrangements. Mrs. Lukasiewicz was born on Aug. 14, 1948, at Loup City, the daughter of William and Frances (Bogacz) Jerabek, Sr. She was united in marriage to David L. Lukasiewicz on April 8, 1967, at Farwell. She is survived by her husband of 42 years, David L. Lukasiewicz of Farwell; three daughters and sons-in-law, Heidi and Kerry Townsend of St. Paul, Trish and Cory Ludemann of Hastings and Wendy and Dareld Takahashi of Ft. Collins, CO; her mother, Frances Jerabek of Blair; one sister and brother-in-law, Maryann and Jim Lukasiewicz of Ft. Calhoun; and one brother and sister-in-law, Bill and Bertha Jerabek of St. Paul. She is also survived by six grandchildren, Madison, Branson, John, Kate, Lauren and Emily; her mother-in-law, Isabelle Lukasiewicz of Farwell; a sister-in-law, Judy Lemburg of Farwell; as well as, numerous nieces, nephews, aunts, uncles and cousins. Karen was raised in rural Farwell and graduated from Farwell High School in 1966. She then worked for GI Abstract in Grand Island. After her marriage to David, the couple first lived in Farwell and then lived in Colorado Springs and Grand Island, while David was serving in the military in Vietnam. They then moved to Farwell where they lived on a farm and raised their three daughters. Karen stayed at home until the last daughter graduated from high school and helped with the day to day life on the farm. She was then went to work in Grand Island at Dillard’s and for the last 20 years at Coach House Gifts in the Conestoga Mall, until illness forced her to retire this past year. She was a member of St. Anthony’s Catholic Church and its Council of Catholic Women. Karen liked puzzles, board games, playing the piano, knitting, college football games and traveling, especially to the mountains. She also enjoyed attending her grandchildren’s sports, school and church activities. Karen was known as the “Hallmark Lady” and the “Egg Lady” as she provided fresh farm eggs to many people. She was preceded in death by her father, William Jerabek, Sr.; her father-in-law, Daniel Lukasiewicz; and a brother-in-law, Gary Lemburg. Karen requested that in lieu of flowers and plants that memorials be given to the family to establish educational funds for her six beloved grandchildren or to the St. Anthony’s Cemetery Fund.