Obituary of Karen L. Elsberry

Karen Louise Elsberry, age 77, passed away in her Tucson, AZ home on Thursday, May 22, 2018 after an extended struggle with lung disease.

Born on December 5, 1940 in San Diego, CA, Karen grew up in Phoenix, AZ, where she lived with parents David T. LeFever and Lillian S. Richards and brothers George and Doug. In 1965, Karen married the love of her life Victor A. Elsberry, with whom she moved to Tucson. After later moving to New Orleans, LA and then to Fort Worth,TX with the Public Health Service, they returned to Tucson, AZ. Here, they raised their two children, David V. Elsberry and Susan M. Cepin.

Karen stayed home to raise her kids through their early childhoods and then taught at Lamb’s Gate pre-school for eight years. She also worked as an executive secretary at Tucson Psychiatric Institute and then at MJN Enterprises until retiring to travel with her husband and spend time with their four grandchildren. Karen continued to support Lamb’s Gate by serving on the board of directors, where she eventually took on the role of director.

Karen was a devoted follower of Jesus Christ and avidly prayed for those she knew and loved. She was actively involved in her church community and served diligently. A faithful wife, mother, grandmother, sister, aunt, friend, and teacher, Karen often welcomed friends and family into her home with great hospitality. In later years, she enjoyed traveling, winters spent in Show Low, AZ, family events, crafts and activities with her grandchildren, and card games and meals with friends.

A memorial service will be held at 11 a.m. on Saturday, March 31 at The Journey Evangelical Free Church, 4700 N. Swan Rd., Tucson, AZ.