KAREN STAEGER (McCLASKEY)
April 26, 1944 - August 20, 2020
age 76

Karen Sue McClaskey passed away peacefully on August 20, 2020, in Spring Hill Florida at age 76. She was born April 26, 1944, in Miami, Florida to Arthur and Elizabeth Stager and was the oldest of four siblings.

After relocating with her parents to Ohio in her early years, Karen loved singing and enjoyed playing in the band in high school, and she went on to nursing school to become a Registered Nurse.  In the early 70s, Karen and her family moved to Colorado, where she enjoyed many years working in nursing homes caring for the elderly.

Her move to Colorado introduced her to her current religion when she became one of Jehovah’s Witnesses. These friends were an important part of her life and she cherished every moment spent in worship and fellowship with her religious brothers and sisters. When Karen moved to Florida a few years ago to be near her two daughters, she had the added joy of meeting and developing relationships with a whole new congregation of Witnesses.

Karen loved playing the piano, watching movies, and listening to music. More than anything, she loved spending time with her friends and family. She enjoyed attending theatre performances, Indian cuisine, sweet tea, and especially dessert. Her favorite outings included visiting Rocky Mountain National Park, CO, and Pine Island, FL, where she could see all the beauty nature had to offer, and she enjoyed it most when she was able to share that time with her loved ones.

Karen was married twice and had four children. two from her first marriage and two from her second marriage. Due to illness, her third child, Virginia “Ginny” Lynn McClaskey, passed away at only 3 months of age, which was especially hard for her. Years later she would still recount the sadness and grief she experienced during that time of loss. She was blessed with four grandchildren as well as one great-granddaughter, who all brought her immense joy and pride.

Karen is survived by her three siblings Linda DeNeve, John (Paula) Stager, and Elizabeth (Ross) Safford, three children Michael (Carie) McClaskey, Suzanne (Terry) Lemmons, Anne Anders, four grandchildren; Christopher (Tera) McClaskey, Andrew McClaskey, Hannah Anders and Nicholas McClaskey, and one great-grandchild Marlee Jo McClaskey.

There was not a soul Karen met that wasn’t touched in some way by her, whether it was a kind smile, a helping hand, a laugh, a hug, or just a hand to hold; Karen knew no boundaries when it came to friends and family, and for that, she will forever be missed.