Karen (Esenwine) Klepek (58) passed away on May 12th, 2007 after an eight-month battle with cancer. Karen grew up in the quiet town of Middlefield, Ohio, earned bachelors degrees in elementary and special education from Kent State University and began her teaching career in nearby Hartville, Ohio. In 1972, Karen moved to Fairbanks, Alaska with her husband Jim to begin a twenty-nine year adventure. She spent twenty-eight of those years working with students having a wide range of educational challenges. For the first twelve years, Karen worked with children at Birch School teaching independent living skills to students impacted by Down�s syndrome, Autism and multiple challenges. After returning to Kent State for her Master�s Degree in learning disabilities, Karen spent the rest of her career at Barnette Elementary School in Fairbanks. She worked with students challenged by dyslexia and similar perceptual difficulties. After twenty-nine Alaska winters, a milder climate beckoned. In May of 2001, Karen and Jim moved to Smith Mountain Lake (in Virginia) where Karen continued her life of helping others. She was a volunteer in the Adult Literacy Program of Franklin County as well as a volunteer reading tutor at Dudley Elementary School. She was an officer in the Deer Creek Neighborhood Association and ALAC (Association of Lake Area Communities). She was a board member of the Franklin County Humane Society and a volunteer at Planned Pethood. Karen dedicated her life to the underdogs of the world and she soon became one. Upon learning of her stage four cancer eight months ago, Karen began to work on her last lesson plan. She chose to count her blessings. She focused on her son who will carry on in her place in making the world a little better. She concentrated on her many friends who showered her with love and support. She did not want to waste her final days on pity and sadness. Karen was preceded in death by her parents, Raymond and Ann Esenwine of Middlefield, Ohio. She is survived by her husband, Jim and son Jimmy (James M.), her brother Harold Esenwine and his wife Marilyn of Middlefield Ohio, sister Martha Griffin and her husband Richard, Colonel US Army (retired) of Comanche Texas, her Aunt Helen Esenwine of Middlefield Ohio, and numerous nieces, nephews and cousins. Friends may call Thursday, May 17, 2007 from 6 to 8 p.m. at the Riddle Funeral Home, 5345 South Street, Vermilion, Ohio 44089. Friends may also call Friday from 10 a.m. to the time of a funeral service at 11 a.m. at the funeral home. In lieu of flowers donations may be made to The Franklin County Humane Society, PO Box 298 Boones Mill, VA 24065, where Karen held her last volunteer position. Oonline condolences may be made at www.riddlefuneralhome.com.
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