Karen A. Esslinger, 45, of St. Benedict, Kansas, died unexpectedly Wednesday evening, October 24, 2012, at the Nemaha Valley Community Hospital in Seneca.

Karen was born in Axtell on February 13, 1967, the daughter of Eugene and Elizabeth Skoch Schraad. She grew up on a farm northeast of Seneca and graduated from Nemaha Valley High School in 1985. After graduation, she went to Manhattan Area Vocational School for secretarial law.

On September 2, 1989 she married Michael E. Esslinger in Seneca.

Karen worked for Countryview Estates nursing home, Life Care Center nursing home (formerly Countryview Estates), Krayola Korner Day Care, Nemaha Valley Community Hospital and the Nemaha County Training Center.

She was a member of St. Mary’s Catholic Church in St. Benedict.

Karen enjoyed helping others when she could and was very active with the Nemaha County Relay for Life. Karen and her family were involved in a student foreign exchange program, hosting Anja from Germany and Marine from Belgium. Anja and Marine have returned to visit with Karen and the family both this past summer and the previous summer. Karen loved to take care of her grandchildren whom she took great pride in, as well as taking care of animals, doing crafts, and crocheting afghans. She also took great pleasure and pride in coming to be known as “Grandma Karen” by all of the children at both of her daughters’ day-cares.

Survivors are her husband Michael of St. Benedict; five daughters, Anna Marie Ward of Seneca, Angela (Jeremy) Clary of Seneca, Ashley (Jesse) Sura of Seneca, Autumn Esslinger of Axtell, and Rachel Heideman of El Paso, Texas; a son, Anthony Esslinger of the home; her parents, Gene and Betty Schraad of Seneca; her grandmother, Mary Skoch of Seneca; brothers, Jim Schraad of Seneca, John Schraad of Sabetha and Bryan Schraad of Seneca; six grandchildren; and her father-in-law, Waymer Esslinger of Sabetha.

She was preceded in death by her daughter, Ariel Esslinger, and granddaughter, Shawna Brook Esslinger, both on January 26, 2007; her grandparents, Elmer Skoch, August and Anne Schraad; and her mother-in-law Pauline Esslinger.

Rosaries will be prayed at 2 & 7 PM Sunday, October 28, at Lauer Funeral Home in Seneca. Mass of Christian Burial will be 10 AM Monday, October 29, at St. Mary’s Church in St. Benedict.

Memorial contributions may be given for Relay For Life, and sent in care of the family.