Karen VonKaenel

“Karen VonKaenel, a superior human being, died from complications of emphysema following years of cigarette abuse. Once diagnosed, Karen made it her life mission to counsel youngsters about the danger of smoking. Karen quit smoking ten years ago, but the damage was already done and took her life at the young age of 64.”The above words were written by Karen prior to her death. She was deeply committed to ending the suffering caused by cigarette smoking. Karen regularly paused while grocery shopping to explain to young people staring at her that cigarette smoking had caused her illness. She has been ill for the past decade. Karen was born on a United States Military base at Kapuskasing, Ontario Canada, February 9, 1944, to the late Adam and Genevieve Valliere Swenn. Reared in Buffalo, New York, Karen was a graduate of Kenmore East High School in 1961. Tennis and camping are among the many interests Karen took in life. She was proud to have toured the Grand Canyon, and was never one to shy away from trying something new. Most of all, Karen will be remembered as a dedicated mother, having juggled multiple careers to support four children. Karen could be found working as a cashier, in a men’s clothing store, serving hungry guests as a waitress, driving UPS trucks from Buffalo to Cleveland, and coaching the St. Joseph’s Elementary girls basketball team.At home, she took special care to make birthdays and holidays significant for her four children and six grandchildren. On one of the trips for UPS, she met a fellow truck driver, Ron VonKaenel, whom she married July 2, 1983, in Strasburg, OH. The couple settled in Strasburg, then, for more than twenty years, at their Columbia home, Karen spent much time gardening and beautifying their hillside. In her spare time, she became a regular contributor to the Times-Reporter’s Reader’s Viewpoints, and 30 Seconds features. Karen returned to college, and in 1989, earned a B.A. in Psychology, Summa Cum Laude, from Kent State University.As her illness advanced, she spent more time quilting, and caring for her pets â?? dogs, cats, birds, and all of nature’s creatures. In the twilight of her life, Karen participated in an online support group that connected Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease patients.Her family, in addition to husband Ron of Columbia, includes her sons; Jeffrey Paul (wife JoAnn) Juhasz of Buffalo, New York, and Michael Stephen (wife Melissa) Juhasz of Clearwater, FL and daughters; Tracy (husband Stan) Matras of Aurora, Ohio, and Jill (husband John) Spano of Hudson, Ohio. A brother, Rodney (wife Holly) Swenn, of York, Pennsylvania, a sister, Eva (husband Mike) Christ of Buffalo, New York, and two step-sons; Ronald VonKaenel Jr. of Louisville, and Michael D. VonKaenel of Columbia also survive. Six grandchildren, Jeremy Juhasz, Nicholas Juhasz, Michele Matras, James Matras, Josephine Spano and A.J. Spano, complete the family. Private services will be held at a later date. Cremation will be through the care of Geib’s Tuscarawas Valley Crematory. To share memories and condolences with the family, please visit Mrs. VonKaenel’s memorial on the funeral home’s website. Memorial contributions may be made to The Wilderness Center, P.O. Box 202, Wilmot, OH, 44689-0202 or to Dover Public Library, 525 North Walnut Street, Dover, OH 44622