Karen Ruth Kroning

Karen was born in Alpena, South Dakota. She married her high school sweetheart, Robert “Bob” Kroning, on September 4th, 1960, and together they recently celebrated 65 wonderful years of marriage.

She graduated from nursing school in Pierre, South Dakota, in September of 1958. In 1962, Karen and Bob moved to Sepulveda, California, where she began her long and dedicated career as a Licensed Vocational Nurse at Kaiser Permanente. She was part of the team that opened the Panorama City Kaiser in 1962 and spent her career there in the Dermatology Department. Karen loved her work deeply and remained devoted to it for more than 40 years until her retirement.

Karen and Bob cherished spending time with their grandchildren, often driving up to Santa Barbara for visits filled with love and laughter. Karen loved cheering from the sidelines at her grandkids’ soccer and flag football games and yelling at the TV when her beloved Clippers were playing. She especially loved visits from her granddaughter Storm. She was overjoyed for her grandson Alec and his upcoming marriage to the love of his life, Paloma, and wanted so much to witness that moment. She was devoted to her family and friends and was always willing to lend a helping hand. Karen will be remembered for her tenacity, kindness, generosity, and the deep love she shared with everyone around her. She had a remarkable gift for making each person feel like her best friend.

Together, Karen and Bob enjoyed traveling the world — visiting China, Australia, and many other destinations — and taking countless road trips to South Dakota for reunions, weddings, and family gatherings.

She is survived by her husband, Robert Kroning; her children and grandchildren: Lisa Kroning, Mark (wife Ramona) Kroning and Tami Bilco Kroning (husband Brent) her grandchildren Alec, Jessie Storm, Shauna, Cort and Tessa. Her siblings Barbara (Gordon) Slunecka and Janice (Gene) Moncur; and her sister-in-law, Rita.

Karen was preceded in death by her parents, George and Della Ellsworth; her siblings Aaron Ellsworth, Kenneth and Barbara Ellsworth, Robert and Bernice Ellsworth, Patricia Ellsworth Shaw; and several nieces and nephews.

She brought laughter, love, and a little bit of sass everywhere she went — and life was always more fun with her around.