Karen Schankweiler Obituary

Karen G. Schuck Schankweiler, 85, of South Hanover Township, returned home to the Lord on Friday, October 24th, 2025, at Hershey Medical Center. She was an extraordinary woman who lived a life of service, embraced faith and community at her Church, and relished the gift of family with her beloved husband of 63 years, Robert, and their three children.
Her commitment to service was nurtured in her profession as a registered nurse. After graduating in 1958 from Shamokin High School, Karen received her training at Reading Hospital and her BSN from Lebanon Valley College. She worked nights as she and Bob raised their young family and became a Specialty Wound and Ostomy Nurse at Harrisburg Hospital, a specialization that allowed her to tour the country for over a decade educating future nurses.
Karen's service extended far beyond her professional life. She was a member of Trinity United Methodist Church for sixty years, and could be found teaching Sunday school, singing in the Choir, organizing coffee hour, leading the ham loaf production and even at the time of her death, orchestrating the Jesse Tree for Advent. Her Church community was her second family, and she gave generously of her time and talent to its members. They in turn gave generously to her these past couple of years as she struggled with her health.
Her tenacity allowed her to hone her many skills, and with often only a YouTube tutorial, she mastered complex knitting, crocheting and sewing stitches. She put these skills to work in a volunteer capacity, making prayer shawls for Church, slippers for the needy and sewing dozens of cornhole board covers for a charity close to her heart, For Pete's Sake Cancer Respite Foundation. She was also an active volunteer with Love Inc of Hershey.
Baking, canning and cooking in her home of 60 years were favorite activities. She always had a chocolate chip cookie in the jar for a guest, a jar of applesauce for someone in need and chicken pot pie for Sunday dinner. Nothing brought her greater joy than being with her grandchildren and teaching them how to can, bake, sew, knit and any other creative task she discovered. She shined in these moments and cherished them deeply.
On August 18th, 1962, she made the best decision of her life and wed Robert Schankweiler. Their family expanded with their daughter Lynn, and sons Todd and Mark. It was with them that her house became a home, filled with love, laughter, faith and friendship. From taking a dip in the pool to traveling with Bob both near and far (even landing in the wrong country on a hot air balloon ride), her life with him was simple, safe and rooted in mutual respect and immense love.
She is survived by her husband Robert D. Schankweiler, her daughter Lynn Schankweiler of Middletown and her two children, Laura and Jennifer Boenzli, son Todd Schankweiler of Harrisburg, his partner Linda Randby, his two children, Casey Bergen (Kyle) and Steven Schankweiler, and Linda's daughter Veronica, and son Mark Schankweiler of North Wales, his wife Marci and their two children Maura and Rose. In addition to her parents, Karen was preceded in death by her two brothers, Kenneth Schuck and Roger Schuck.
A memorial service will be held on Friday, October 31st at Trinity United Methodist Church, 210 West Main Street, Hummelstown, with the Reverend Robert J. Kazinski, her pastor, officiating. Visitation starts at 10:00 am, followed by the service at 11:00. Interment is private at Summit Cemetery in Irish Valley.
Trefz & Bowser Funeral Home, Inc. 114 West Main Street, Hummelstown, has been entrusted with the arrangements.
In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions can be made to For Pete's Sake Cancer Respite Foundation, 620 West Germantown Pike, Suite 150, Plymouth Meeting, PA 19462 or online at https://give.takeabreakfromcancer.org/rememberingkaren - a nonprofit founded by her daughter-in-law Marci.
Online condolences may be shared at www.trefzandbowser.com.