Karen Mae Ludeke

Funeral Services for Karen M. Ludeke will be conducted on Thursday, September 6, 2018 at 10:30 a.m. at the St. John's Lutheran Church in Oxford, Nebraska with Reverend Wes Hafner officiating.  Interment will be in the Oxford Cemetery following the services.

Karen Mae Ludeke, 76 years of age, of Oxford, passed away on Saturday, September 1, 2018 at the Holdrege Memorial Homes in Holdrege, Nebraska, following a courageous battle with cancer.  Karen was born May 31, 1942, on the family farm in Harlan County, south of Atlanta, Nebraska, the fifth of ten children born to Otto Fritz John Ludeke and Georgia Mae (Eman) Ludeke.  Karen was baptized on December 9, 1945 by Reverend Sellman, and confirmed on June 15, 1958 by Reverend Kretzmann at the St. John's Lutheran Church in Oxford.  The family made their home in the Mascot, Nebraska area, where Karen received her primary education.  She then graduated from Oxford High School with the class of 1962.  On August 10, 1968, Karen was blessed by the birth of her daughter, Jolene.

Following her education, Karen began a long career in caregiving and housekeeping.  Throughout the years, Karen was employed for thirty-five years between the Fritzer Memorial Hospital and the Walker Post Manor in Oxford as a Certified Nurse's Aide.  In later years, she was also employed by the Southern Valley School, the Golden Generation Center, and the Oxford Thrift Shop.

Karen enjoyed all the friendship bonds formed throughout her working years.  She was an avid reader, a devoted Husker fan, and loved being part of her bowling league for many years.  She enjoyed keeping in touch with her family and friends by writing letters, and sending birthday cards.

She was a member of the St. John's Lutheran Church in Oxford, and actively involved at the Golden Generation Senior Center as well.

Besides her parents, Karen was preceded in death by three sisters:  Diana and Carla Ludeke in infancy and Charlene Farwell; and brothers-in-law:  Gayle Farwell, Jinx Jones, and Virgil Einspahr.

Karen leaves to celebrate her life; her daughter, Jolene Einspahr of Orleans; her siblings:  Janis Einspahr of Orleans; Ron Ludeke and his wife, Sharon of Oxford; Sharon Jones of Oxford; Lana Jean Nitchie and her husband, Ron of Holdrege; Steve Ludeke of Lincoln, Nebraska; and Rodney Ludeke and his wife, Patti of Arizona City, Arizona; and a host of nieces, nephews, other relatives and friends.

Visitation will be held on Wednesday, September 5, 2018 from 4:00 p.m. – 8:00 p.m. with the family greeting friends from 6:00 p.m. – 7:30 p.m. at the Mitchell-Nelson-Bauer Funeral Home in Oxford.

A memorial has been established in Karen's honor, and kindly suggested to the Golden Generation Senior Center or the St. John's Lutheran Church in Oxford.

Expressions of caring and kindness can be sent to the family at www.nelsonbauerfh.com

The Mitchell-Nelson-Bauer Funeral Home in Oxford is in charge of the arrangements.