Watch Karen's Tribute Video Here

A Funeral Mass for Karen Rotherham, age 85, of Ewing, NE, will be 10:30 am Saturday, April 30, 2022 at St Peter's Catholic Church in Ewing. Rev. John Norman will officiate. Burial will follow in the St. Peter's Catholic Cemetery. Visitation will be from 5-7 pm Friday, April 29, 2022 at St. Peter's Catholic Church in Ewing, with a 7 pm Rosary. Karen passed away on Saturday, April 23, 2022 at her home in Ewing, NE. Memorials are suggested to the family for future designation. Arrangements are entrusted to Biglin's Mortuary in O'Neill.

Karen Mildred Donohoe was born on October 11, 1936 to John E. and Kamilla (Uhl) Donohoe in O'Neill. She attended St. Mary's Academy, graduating in 1954. She obtained her teaching certificate from Wayne Normal College and taught in the Holt County rural schools.

Karen married Jerry Rotherham at St. Patrick's Catholic Church in O'Neill on January 12, 1957 and the couple made their home in Ewing. They were blessed with 9 children: Rosemary, Carol, Kamilla, Deb, Diane, E.J., Mark, Colleen, and Kay.

Karen owned and operated the Hill's Variety Store Ewing, worked for Larry's Market, and other various jobs while also raising her children. She was able to use her love of teaching children at Ewing Public Schools as a paraeducator until she retired in 2012.

Karen was an active member of St. Peter's Catholic Church where she served as the CCD teacher and coordinator for many years. She was a member of the Christian Mothers and served St. Peters parish in several ways throughout the years.

Karen loved to watch Husker football and volleyball games, she enjoyed gambling and scratch tickets, and for many years she enjoyed her weekly bowling nights with her team. She was an avid seamstress, an excellent cook and baker, specializing in cinnamon rolls. She loved the Sunday drives with her family and later in life with Jerry to the Hill. Karen's grandchildren were her pride and joy - she was their biggest fan. She attended as many of their activities as she was able to over the years. As her family continued to grow, she enjoyed many special moments with her great grandchildren. Karen loved her Irish heritage, Irish music, and Irish dance.

Karen is survived by her nine children, Rosemary Rotherham of Lincoln, NE, Carol Vandersnick of Ewing, Kamilla (Clifford) Woeppel of Norfolk, Deb (Pat) Thramer of Ewing, Diane (Ladd) Krings of Albion, E.J. (Shanna) Rotherham of Eugene, OR, Mark Rotherham of Denver, CO, Colleen (Greg) Ramold of Ewing, and Kay (Craig) Hall of Gladstone, MO; 28 grandchildren, Nate (Sarah) Bornemeier, Monty Bornemeier, Cindy Vandersnick, Brian (Shanda) Vandersnick, Matt (Courtney) Vandersnick, Clinton Woeppel, Christopher Woeppel, Cletus (Brooke) Woeppel, Victoria Woeppel, Tina (Brian) Luellen, Ryan (Kayla) Thramer, Nic (Samantha Barber) Thramer, Phil (Sadie) Thramer, Alex Thramer, Matt (Hillary) Krings, Sam (John) Stoltz, Bridget (Alex) Wiese, Jake (Paige Ketteler) Krings, D.J. Rotherham, Kolte (Alexa) Rotherham, Levi Rotherham, Jen Ramold, Zach Ramold, Ben (Kara) Ramold, Abby Hall, Paige Hall, Rylee Hall, and Max Hall; 22 great grandchildren; siblings, Don Donohoe of Portland, OR, Margaret (Larry) Larsen of Bellevue, and John (Rachel) Donohoe of Round Rock, TX; in-laws, Patricia Donohoe of Glendale, CA, Butch (Carol) Rotherham of Ewing, NE, Marge Rotherham of Crawford, NE, and Leo O'Malley of O'Neill, NE; and many nieces and nephews.

Karen was preceded in death by her parents; her husband Jerry; son-in-law, Hank Bornemeier; siblings, Jim (Dorothy & Gloria) Donohoe, Wayne Donohoe, Dorothy (Bud) Cloyd, Larry Donohoe, Raymond Donohoe; and a sister-in-law, Carolyn Donohoe.