Karen Benigna Wade Obituary February 2, 2022 - Gorman-Scharpf Funeral Home, Inc.

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IN LOVING MEMORY OF

Karen Benigna

Wade

September 30, 1946 – February 2, 2022

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Obituary

Karen ( Gudenkauf ) Wade, 75 , passed away Wednesday evening February 2, 2022 with her family by her side.

Karen , the daughter of William and Lela Gudenkauf , was born in Atchison, Kansas on September 30, 1946 and moved with her family to Springfield in 1951. She graduated from St. Agnes High School and later became a Licensed Practical Nurse . She married her best friend, William Wade on October 13, 1973, and together, centered their lives around raising their son , Carl, enjoying her extended family, and spoiling the many dogs she loved.

Karen was a wonderful cook; she was known to wrestle a recipe to within 1/8 tsp. of perfection . She loved all music, but especially songs she could dance to. Karen claimed it was her exercise, but we all knew that was just an excuse to dance. She loved crafts of all kinds ; and , as in all things she put her mind to, created detailed, lasting treasures . Karen's signature style was best described as muu-muu over white T-shirt, which she always apologized for, while trying to recruit others to the same look. Camping, canoeing and puttering on the lake in their fishing boat were the basis of many, many family hours spent laughing and telling stories around a campfire. She loved any and all forms of orneriness, especially if it involved the hijinks of her grandchildren, and was often the instigator and collaborator of a family member's antics. Her laughter and love of all things funny defined Karen and heaven is certainly laughing with her .

Karen's greatest love was her family, especially Willie, Carl and daughter-in-law, Jean , and four grandchildren. She often spoke with pride of the adults her grandkids had become and her happiness to add a granddaughter-in-law to the mix. Her sisters and brothers - in - law, along with her many beloved nieces and nephews, and great nieces and nephews, were blessed to have her in their lives; she was their greatest cheerleader and loved each of them deeply and unconditionally.

Karen is preceded in death by her parents, William and Lela Gudenkauf ; sister , Ann Meese ; nephew, Randy Baker; and brother-in-law, Winston Wade. She is survived by her husband, Willie, son, Carl Wade (Jean), grandchildren Brian (Reagan), Lauren, Jack and Ben Wade; sisters , Lynne Baker (Vernon) and Kathleen Bauer (Jim); nieces and nephews, Tracy Miller, Kristin McDaniel (Jeff), Jessica Davis (Aaron), Johnny Meese (Darci), Stacie Owens (Ken), Jenny Johnson (Jeff), Jake Meese (Sarah), Nathan Bauer (Sara), Dana Stuhlsatz (Eric), Peter Bauer (Kate), and Michael Bauer (Kelbie) ; brothers-in-law John Meese, Weldon Wade (Yvonne) and Wendell Wade (Cynthia) ; as well as 24 great-nieces and nephews , all of whom will mourn her loss but hold tightly to the memories of our best times spent with her.

Visitation will be held at 10:00 a.m. Tuesday, February 8, 2022 in Immaculate Conception Catholic Church with a Funeral Mass beginning at 11:00 a.m., under the care of Gorman-Scharpf Funeral Home. Burial will follow in Resurrection Cemetery.

In lieu of flowers, contributions may be made to The Shepherds Fund, an endowment established for Springfield Catholic Schools teachers at theshepherdsfund.com.

To order memorial trees or send flowers to the family in memory of Karen Benigna Wade, please visit our flower store.

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