Karen grew up in Euclid, Ohio, the second of Julius and Eleanor Niedermeyer’s three children. After graduating from high school and college, Karen embarked on a career as a Certified Public Accountant. She met her husband, James Austin in 1976 and they were married in 1979. After welcoming their three children, Timothy, Alexandra, and Ben, they built a small family accounting practice in Chesterland, Ohio. Karen was a friendly face about town, sharing stories with friends over lunch at the local diner. Owing to her standing in the community, Karen was elected and served for two terms as Fiscal Officer of Chesterland, Ohio, from 2005 to 2013. Family was the most important aspect of Karen’s life. She never missed a school or sporting event. Karen’s favorite pastime was spending summers with her family on their boat on the shores of Lake Erie. Karen enthusiastically joined her family, swimming at Kelley’s Island, watching her children wakeboard or tube behind the boat and making sure everyone was tucked in after a long day. Even late in life, the Lake was where Karen went to relax and let the weight of the world wash away.
Karen could not have been more excited to meet her grandchildren, Bryce, Kensington, Brooks, and Saylor. The grandkids quickly learned that ‘grandma Karen’ reliably delivered the cake of their choosing for their birthday celebration (much the same as she had done for her own children). Superman, Cocomellon, Paw Patrol and dinosaurs were all favorites. Karen is survived by her husband, James, her three children, Ben, Alexandra, and Timothy (Arianna), her brothers, Carl and Paul (Sandy) Niedermeyer, and her four grandchildren, Bryce, Kensington, Brooks, and Saylor Austin. The family is welcoming visitors at Gattozzi & Son Funeral Home (12524 Chillicothe Rd, Chesterland, OH 44026) from 4:30-7:30pm on Thursday February 1st. The funeral service will also be held at Gattozzi & Son at 10:00am on Friday, February 2nd, with internment at Chester Township Cemetery to follow.
