Karen A Wolfinbarger

Karen died May 30 after a courageous battle with lung disease.

Karen was born June 25, 1951 in St. Paul, MN, the daughter of Martin and Marion Murphy. She grew up in Denver, CO, where she met Dale Wolfinbarger. Dale and Karen were married Nov. 7, 1967. Daughter Gina was born in 1968 and son Jim in 1969.

“Kerney,” as she was affectionately known by family members, always put family first, especially her husband, children and grandchildren. She was adored by her many nieces and nephews. Karen was a member of Holy Cross Lutheran Church in Highlands Ranch. She enjoyed reading, quilting and other handicrafts.

She joined Kaiser Permanente in 1980 working in the ophthalmology department. Over the years, she had a variety of jobs duties including serving as administrative assistant in the vendors department before retiring in 2012. Karen had many friends among her colleagues who appreciated her dedication and leadership.

Karen enjoyed travelling and fulfilled a life-long dream when she and Dale travelled to Europe in 2006. After retiring, Karen and Dale continued travelling the country to visit family and friends. After Dale’s unexpected passing in December 2013, Karen again resumed travelling and following a visit in Michigan, she fell ill in Pennsylvania. Her children and other family members were at her side at the time of her death.

Karen was preceded in death by her husband, Dale; father Martin Murphy, grandmother Emma Schomaker; step-father Fred Chandler; mother –in-law Francis Trusty; sister Kathleen Murphy; brother Martin Murphy, brother-in-law Dennis Grubb; and nephew Gary Grubb.

She is survived by her daughter Gina (Chase) Van Dyne and grandchildren Mason and Makenna, Holland, MI; son Jim (Gina) Wolfinbager and grandchildren Dalton and Peyton, Castle Rock, CO; mother Marion Chandler, Evans, CO; sister Mary Murphy (Rumi Carmen), Denver, CO; sister Sheila (Les) Rainey; brother Bill (Arlene) Murphy, Warrington, PA; David (Deb) Murphy, Greeley, CO; step-sister Linda Grubb, Firestone, CO; and step-brothers Bill (Trish) Chandler, Arvada, Co; Joel (Lynn) Chandler and Jon (Cindy) Chandler, Spokane, WA.

Also nieces, nephews, and cousins Christopher and Diane, Austin, Rachel; Elisabeth and Burton; Tristan and Lacey; Rena and Tyler; Jolie and Joe; Emma; Bernard and Sheri, Billy and Anny, James and Heather; DJ, and Kevin and Audrey, Stephan and Amanda.

She is also survived by her father-in-law Alan (Patricia) Wolfinbarger, Denver, CO; brother-in-laws Patrick (Jane) Wolfinbarger, Laramie, WY, Mark (Mary) Wolfinbarger, Oceanside, CA, and Bill Wolfinbarger; and Jim (Michelle) Turner, Denver, CO. Also nieces and nephews Lyra and Christopher, Lee, Peter, Aaron, Matthew, Adam, Evan and Ryan; and cousins Peggy, Sharon and Chuck, Mike; and Linda.

Donations in the name of Karen Wolfinbarger may be made to Holy Cross Lutheran Church, 9770 Foothills Canyon Blvd, Highlands Ranch, CO 80129

Arrangements under the direction of Olinger Hampden Mortuary & Cemetery, Denver, CO.