Karen Laska

Karen Laska, 83, of Duncan, Nebraska, died Thursday, September 10, 2026, at her home. 

Mass of Christian Burial will be held on Tuesday, September 15, at 10:30 AM, at St. Stanislaus Catholic Church in Duncan with Father Patrick Harrison celebrating the Mass. Visitation will be on Monday, from 5:00 PM - 7:00 PM, with a Vigil Service at 7:00 PM with honors by the Nebraska Nurse Honor Guard, all at the church. Visitation will continue Tuesday, from 9:30 AM until service time, at the church. Interment will be in St. Stanislaus Catholic Cemetery. Memorials may be directed to St. Jude's Children's Research Hospital or St. Stanislaus Catholic Church.

Karen Ann Laska was born on December 6, 1942, in Linwood, Nebraska, to Edward and Helen (Sladky) Pallas. She attended a one room schoolhouse near Linwood and later went to high school in David City. She then earned her nursing degree from St. Elizabeth School of Nursing.

On December 28, 1963, Karen was united in marriage to James Laska in Linwood. During Jim’s military career, Karen worked in various nursing and volunteer roles as they moved around the country. She worked at the Schuyler Hospital while Jim served in Vietnam and worked as a visiting nurse in the Columbus area while Jim was deployed to South Korea. Karen also served as a volunteer school nurse for Whitesburg P-8 School and Grissom High School in Huntsville, Alabama.

Karen enjoyed quilting, cross stitching, gardening, and canning. She especially enjoyed cooking and crafting with her grandchildren. She served as a Girl Scout leader both in Nebraska and Alabama and was a bowling coach for the Redstone Arsenal youth bowling league. After she and Jim settled in Duncan upon his retirement, she was a member of St. Stanislaus Catholic church and served many volunteer roles including cooking for numerous funerals and serving on the parish council.

Karen is survived by: 
Daughter: Mary (Dennis Buechler) Laska of Huntsville, AL 
Grandchildren: Micah, Matthew (Belinda), Katherine & Lydia 
Son: Brian Laska of Duncan, NE 
Daughter: Ann (Chris Tooley) Laska of St. Louis, MO 
Grandchildren: Beau, Erin, Jennifer, Sam, Mars & Dani 
Great grandchild: Samuel James Tooley Jr. 
Sister: Shirley Masek of Lincoln, NE 
Brother: Larry (Rose) Pallas of Columbus, NE 
Brother-in-law: Steve Wolfe of Pennsylvania 
Many nieces & nephews

Karen was preceded in death by: 
Parents: Edward & Helen Pallas 
Husband: James Laska 
Son: Bruce Laska 
Brother: Ed Pallas 
Sister: Sandy Wolfe 
Brother-in-law: Larry Masek