Karen Sue Spengler

It is with heavy hearts that we announce the passing of Karen Sue Spengler, who departed this life on April 26, 2025, at the age of 77. Born on May 29, 1947, in the steel town of Granite City, Illinois, Karen lived a quiet life rich in intellect, empathy, and gentle humor.

Karen’s journey through life was marked by her deep love for animals and her passion for literature. An introverted soul, she found comfort in the pages of mystery and action novels, often favoring the tangible pleasure of a hardcover book and the quiet company of her much loved pets. She was a diligent scholar, earning her Master’s Degree later in life from Hamline University, and an accomplished business-woman, retiring from a long and successful career in financial analysis with US Bank.

The many moves of her early life—from Granite City to Chicago to Roseville, Minnesota, and Savannah, Georgia—shaped Karen's understanding of the world. She graduated from high school in Savannah, returning to Minnesota to attend college and be close to her big brother "Rick" and his family. Despite her career accomplishments, Karen remained humble and grounded. Never having children, Karen was very close to her brother's children, and treated them as if they were her own.

In her later years, Karen fulfilled a dream by buying her first home at the age of 65 in Tucson, Arizona. There she enjoyed the warm, sunny AZ climate where she could walk daily with her best four-legged friend, Abby, chatting with neighbors and friends along the way.

Karen will forever be in the hearts of her nieces Sharon (Greg) Zeleny and Kristine (Steve Thompson) Spengler; great-nieces Emma Shope and Katie (Chris Sipek) Shope, plus their children Jackson, Eliana, and Leo Sipek. She was preceded in death by her parents Frederick and Francis Spengler; and brother Richard, with whom she was very close.

Karen's Family will have a private gathering where they will reflect on her intellect, compassion, humor, and quiet strength.

She will be deeply missed by her family and friends, who remember her not just for her accomplishments, but for her gentle spirit and kind heart. In her memory, let us take a moment to pick up a book, find a quiet space, and allow her legacy of empathy and compassion to resonate within us.

In lieu of flowers or a tree, Karen's family requests any memorials to go to Pima Animal Care Center: https://www.pima.gov/2233/Pima-Animal-Care-Center-PACC