Karen Sue Stephan

Karen Sue Stephan, 70, passed away on Saturday, November 16th,2024, at Banner Desert Hospital in Mesa, Arizona. Karen was born in Cincinnati, Ohio, on May 28th, 1954.

Karen was preceded in death by her mother, Jane Klute, and her father, Bob Klute.

Survivors include her husband, James; two sons, James II and Jason; her granddaughter, Sasha; her brother, Robert Klute Sr. of Burlington Kentucky; her sister, Deborah of Rineyville, Kentucky; and nieces and nephews whom she adored. She was blessed with a wonderful daughter in law, Rachel.

Karen was a soldier in the United States Army, achieving the rank of Specialist Five. She and Jim met in Heidelberg, Germany, where they fell in love, married in Switzerland, and remained married for nearly 48 years. They settled after service in Indianapolis, Indiana, where Karen became an accountant for the Defense Finance and Accounting Service, and she retired after accumulating over 40 years of service to our Nation’s soldiers and their family members. Having been a soldier and having been married to one for so many years, she was a staunch unseen ally of soldiers the world over, always giving them the benefit of doubt when one existed.

Karen loved her Catholic faith, saying a daily rosary with Jim. She taught Sunday School, assisted in training for First Communion and Confirmation, and never stopped looking for ways to help. When she could no longer attend mass in person she watched and prayed with the recorded Mass from Saint Michael the Archangel Parish in San Tan Valley.

Karen’s celebration of life will be on Saturday, December 7th, 2024, at Our Lady of Peace Cemetery, Indianapolis, IN.  Visitation will be from 12 noon until 1:00 p.m. The Rosary will be recited at 1:00 p.m. immediately followed by a Liturgy service at the chapel at Our Lady of Peace Cemetery, 9001 Haverstick Road.