Karen Schweiker

Karen Schweiker, age 86, devoted wife of Siegfried and loving mother of four, passed away peacefully in the company of her cherished family at dawn on Saturday, January 24, 2026. She was born on June 6,1939 in South Bend, Indiana, to the late Madeline and Marshall Madlen.

Karen exemplified God’s grace in being the epitome of patience, steadfast love and the bedrock strength that will be carried on by her entire family and all who love her. Her love of gardening, her children and especially her late husband live on in everyone she touched. Reared in Avon Lake, OH, she was the youngest of three children.

In 1958, she moved with her parents to Mexico where she met the love of her life and, in only sixteen days, Karen and Siegfried were engaged to be married. They lived in Mexico for six years prior to moving back to OH. In 1971, they moved to Germany to be with Siegfried’s family and three years later moved to PA where Karen was an avid gardener, canning her various fruits and vegetables. In 1983, they moved to NC where Karen later became a certified Master Gardener.

As a Master Gardener, she loved all things that grow, sprout and bloom - an allegory to her life and her impact on those blessed to have been embraced by her love and friendship. Karen was the fabric - the interwoven threads and pattern - that brought together and bound her family. Through the trials and tribulations, joys and successes, she was the calming waters of patient understanding.

Karen is survived by her children Stephanie Harris (Cole), Cindy Karabinos (Mike), Karl Schweiker and Heidi Christopher (Jason); five grandchildren Marshall, Kylie, Nikolas, Keegan and Lorelei; all of the grand pups including, River, Juniper, Willow, Buttercup and grand bunny, Briar; sister, Sally Purks and numerous special nieces and nephews. The seeds she has sown are sure to continue to bare the generational fruits of love, compassion, grace and patience.

In addition to her parents, Karen was preceded in death by her husband, Siegfried Karl Schweiker and brother, Michael Madlen.

As her work here is done, with both sorrow and gracious joy, we entrust her soul to the reunion with her dear Siegfried in God’s loving embrace. Our ‘Papi’ was waiting for her - as she had requested of him seventeen years ago.

In lieu of flowers, contributions may be made in Karen’s memory to the Union County Extension Master Gardeners (NC) (mastergardenersunioncountync.org) or your local ASPCA.

A memorial service will be held at Apex Funeral Home on Friday, January 30, 2026 at 2:00 pm. Please wear happy colors in honor of Karen. The service will also be available via live stream at https://www.youtube.com/@ApexFuneralHome.

Fond memories and expressions of sympathy can be shared below within "Add a Memory" for the Schweiker family.