Kings Mountain, North Carolina: Karen Frankenberger Van Buren, age 65, passed away December 15, 2024 at Atrium Cabarrus in Concord, NC. Born March 27, 1959 in Rochester, NY, she was the daughter of the late Charles J. and Agnes C. Burke Frankenberger. Karen attended St. Michael Catholic Church in Gastonia, NC. She worked for some time as an EMT with Cleveland County EMS and for several years at Shelby Children’s Clinic as a Nursing Assistant. Karen enjoyed helping others but her passion in life was her family. She was the best wife, mother and NaNa a family could ask for. She loved keeping her home, baking and cooking for her loved ones. She enjoyed keeping a beautiful lawn and grew beautiful flowers and delicious vegetables every season. Karen enjoyed horseback riding and was a volunteer for Hearts and Hooves in Shelby where she helped mentally and physically disabled children fulfill their dreams of riding horses. Karen enjoyed cruising, and travel to the Carolina coast and the NC Mountains. She loved traveling back home to New York state to visit her family. Karen and Steve loved football and was an avid Buffalo Bills fan. Karen was a loving wife, wonderful mother and the best NaNa. Her strength, guidance, compassion and love has left a lasting impact on all those she knew and loved. Her memory will live on in the hearts of her loved ones for a lifetime.
She is survived by her husband of 39 years, Steven Henry Van Buren; son: Eric Van Buren and wife Cailyn, Shelby, NC; grandchildren: Wyatt and Elliott Van Buren; siblings: Eileen Keirn and husband Charles, Kenmore, NY and James Frankenberger and wife Brenda, Spencerport, NY; loving furbabies: Molly and Gracie; many loving nieces and nephews
Her Funeral Service was held December 19 in the Ollie Harris Memorial Chapel, Kings Mountain, North Carolina, with Reverend Mr. James Trombley officiating. Donations in Karen’s memory can be made to Healthcare Foundation of Cleveland County at P.O. Box 550, Shelby, NC 28151 or online at www.healthcarefoundationcc.org. Guest register available at www.harrisfunerals.com
