Ms. Karen Anne Skinner

Karen was born on November 5, 1943, in Chicago, Illinois.

She was preceded in death by her parents and her oldest daughter, Karen Gancar.

Her surviving relatives include her brother, Larry Bretzing of New Port Richey, Florida, her five children, Katherine York, Edward Gancar, Michael Gancar, Linda Walker, and Robin Reeves, 13 grandchildren, Jessica and Alan Gancar, Justin and Kristen York, Tiffani Gunn, Tyler Lemons, Jeremy and Amanda Webster, Marlisa Godsey, Ciara, Derian, and Michael Gancar Jr., Abigail Reeves, and many other extended family members.

In 1975, Karen walked into the McDonald’s in Holiday, FL to apply for a job, and little did she know, her life would be forever changed. She started as a breakfast grill cook and over the next 14 years rose through the ranks of the David Industries Organization, ultimately, becoming the Director of Operations for the entire organization. In 1989, Karen became an Owner Operator with McDonald’s, purchasing her first restaurant in Dallas, TX. Through hard work and determination, she grew her organization to a total of 15 restaurants.

Over the past 32 years as an Owner Operator, Karen has earned numerous awards including the coveted Fred L. Turner Golden Arch Award and Ronald Award. These awards are given to the top 1% of owners/operators across the country who have made outstanding contributions to strengthening the McDonald’s brand image, serving their customers, and the local community. Karen actively participated in the Dallas Co-Op. She was a board member from 2007-2009 and 2016-2020 and held the title of Secretary from 2009-2013. From 2011-2014, she was on the Board of Directors of the Ronald McDonald House Charites of Greater North Texas. For the past 32 years, she was a member of the McDonald’s US Women’s Ownership Network, the US National Purchasing Committee, and the Regional Purchasing Committee.

Karen loved to cook and loved to entertain, her dining room table always had room for one more, and her house was always welcoming and inviting to all! Karen loved all aspects of life, but she especially enjoyed songbirds, traveling, cruising, gambling, all kinds of music, especially, the Rat Pack, Elvis, and Neil Diamond. She cherished her children, admiring the adults they became and loved them even more for providing the many grandchildren and great-grandchildren she doted on, some would even say, spoiled.

The family will receive visitors on Wednesday, October 27, 2021, from 4:30 pm-6:30 pm, and Thursday, October 28, 2021, from 4:30 pm-6:30 pm at Bluebonnet Hills Funeral Home, located at 5725 Colleyville Blvd, Colleyville, Texas 76034.

A Mass of Christian Burial will be held on Friday, October 29, 2021, at 11:00 am at the St. Francis of Assisi Catholic Church located at 861 Wildwood Lane, Grapevine, Texas 76051.

Interment will be private.

In lieu of flowers, donations can be made to the Ronald McDonald House Charities.

Fond memories and expressions of sympathy may be shared at www.bluebonnethills.com for the Skinner family.