Karen M Mcconnell

A visitation for Karen M. McConnell will be held on Wednesday, March 12, 2025, from 1:00 p.m. to 2:30 p.m. with family greeting friends at the Nelson Bauer Funeral Home in Holdrege, Nebraska. A graveside service will follow at the Prairie Home Cemetery in Holdrege at 3:00 p.m. with Rev. Dr. W. Kirwin Stewart Jr. officiating.

Karen Marie McConnell, 88 years of age, of Kearney, Nebraska, formerly of Holdrege, Nebraska, passed away on March 3, 2025, at CountryHouse Assisted Living in Kearney. Karen was born in Clay Center, Nebraska on May 11, 1936, the third of four children born to Leslie and Ella (Skanderup) Shaffer. She received her education from Holdrege Public Schools and graduated from Holdrege High School in 1954. Karen pursued a degree in nursing at Lincoln General and later received her bachelor's and master's degrees in Counseling at Kearney State.

Following her education, Karen worked at Holdrege Medical Clinic where she developed the Cardiac Rehabilitation Program. She was active throughout her career in both the Nebraska Nursing Association and the Nebraska Mental Health Board. Karen was the owner of Shaffer Cleaners & Gifts & Things.

Karen was united in marriage to Dale McConnell in Holdrege, and to this union, two children were born: Nancy and David. Later in life, Karen was married to Wayne Dahlgren of Holdrege, Al Lingle of Chandler, Arizona, and Captain Walter Hiskett of Chandler.

Karen enjoyed traveling and spending time at Johnson Lake. She was a member of the First Presbyterian Church.

Karen was preceded in death by her parents; one daughter, Nancy Larson; sisters: Shirley Ann White; Nadene Holub; daughter-in-law, Karen McConnell; and husbands: Dale McConnell; Wayne Dahlgren; Al Lingle; and Captain Walter Hiskett.

Karen is survived by her son, Dr. David McConnell of Kearney, Nebraska; grandchildren: Matt Larson and his wife Colby of Holdrege; Elly Judy and her husband Tanner of Funk, Nebraska; Cassie Bernier and her husband Mark of Elkhorn, Nebraska; Austin McConnell and his wife, Savannah of St. Louis, Missouri; and Cole McConnell of Kearney; great-grandchildren: Hudson Larson; Marshall and Miley Judy; and Bryce and Blake Bernier; one brother, Dr. Ken Shaffer and his wife, Lynnda; and a host of nieces and nephews, other relatives, and friends.

Memorials in Karen's honor are suggested to the First Presbyterian Church in Holdrege.

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

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