Karen Kay Sieren

Karen Kay (Gill) Sieren passed away at the home of life-long friend, Linda Seeley of Jansen, NE, on February 10, 2013. Karen was born to Marjorie and Paul Gill on August 27, 1956, in Fairbury, NE. Karen graduated from Fairbury High School and moved to Iowa where she lived until her passing.

After graduation Karen worked for the Rock Island Railroad. Karen was the first female brakeman and she was very proud of that fact. She often told stories of the adversities she had to overcome being the only female on the crew.

Karen worked as an RN at HCI Care Services of Norwalk, IA. Karen loved animals and worked for many years as a Veterinary Tech prior to returning to school and getting her RN degree.

Karen loved watching her son, Boone, do figure eight stock car racing, as a hobby, at various Iowa tracks in the summers. Karen enjoyed watching the Kansas City Chiefs and would call her nephew, Bret, to discuss games and the latest movies.

She is survived by her son Boone, his wife Nichole, and granddaughter, Emily of Des Moines, IA; Brothers and spouses: Bud and Rita Hackbarth of Fairmont, NE; Mick and Doris Gill of Fairbury, NE; sister: Trish Kokesh of Hastings, NE; and sister-in-law Karen Hackbarth of Phoenix, AZ; several nieces and nephews, former spouse Roger Sieren, of Cumming, IA; and Max, her dog.

Karen loved her career and the people she cared for. Karen’s passion was working in hospice care.

She was preceded in death by her parents; brother: Lonnie Hackbarth, brother-in-law: Jim Kokesh, and nephew: Bret Hackbarth.

A Catholic Mass honoring her life will be Saturday, February 16, at 10:00am at St Michaels Catholic Church in Fairbury, NE, with Father Birkel, officiating. Interment will follow the Mass at the Fairbury Cemetery.

There will be celebration of life for Karen in Norwalk at St. John’s Catholic Church on February 24, 2013 from 11:30 to 1:30 with a luncheon.