Karen S. Johannes, 69, of Columbus, Nebraska, died Wednesday, December 11, 2024, at the Columbus Community Hospital.

Public visitation will be on Sunday, December 15 from 3:00 PM - 5:00 PM at Gass Haney Funeral Home.  Private family burial will be on Monday in the Circle Mound Cemetery,  Rising City, Nebraska.  Memorials are suggested to Columbus Fire & Rescue or Wyoming Search & Rescue.

Karen was born on August 7, 1955 in David City, Nebraska to the Louis and Opal (Winterfeld) Wagner.  She graduated from Rising City High School. She held many jobs over the years but the most important and most rewarding was being a mom.  Karen met the love of her life, Stan Johannes, thanks to the help of Stan's little sister Sharon, and the two were married on November 19, 1983, at St. John's Lutheran Church, Shell Creek, rural Columbus.  Together they raised three children Adam, Travis, and Tyler.

Karen became a mom, grandma, and best friend to many.   She was known for her great wisdom and advice.  Everyone always felt welcomed and appreciated by Karen.  She had a knack for always giving positive advice even when it was not something you wanted to hear.  Stan will greatly miss his daily "Stanley will you stop and listen."

Karen loved her children and grandchildren more than anything and loved to hear the crazy stories they had to tell.  She loved spending time with family.  Some of her best times were spent on the front porch reminiscing with family and friends during toddy time.

Karen and Stan loved to travel and one of their favorite and special places was the mountains in Elk Mountain, Wyoming.  Those mountains will forever be special to her family.  Karen loved animals of all kinds, especially the renegade chickens.

Karen is survived by:
Husband - Stan Johannes of Columbus, NE
Son - Adam (Christine) Muhle of Rochester, MN
Son - Travis (Candace) Johannes of Riley, KS
Son - Tyler Johannes of Columbus, NE
Nine grandchildren - Cole, Anna, Dusty, Hailee, Gage, Rayn, Madisyn, Caleb, and Hannah
Sister - Janice Eller of North Platte, NE

Karen was preceded in death by:
Parents – Louis and Opal Wagner
Brother – Dennis Wagner