Karen Ann Pueppka Wood became an angel on Jan. 27, 2025 in Ramona, Calif.
She was born to Cleo (Shuler) and Floyd Pueppka on Oct. 10, 1944 in Sutherland. The Nebraska Sandhills was her home for many of her childhood years and that is where she developed her love for horses.
She was active in 4-H and a member of several horse clubs. During elementary school years, her family resided in either the Sandhills or in North Platte. She learned to adapt to the moves and made numerous friends with her infectious laugh and friendly upbeat personality.
Karen told a story about when her parents bought a ranch north of the river. Her Dad bought several cattle and two horses. She chose a calf and raised it for 4-H. Even trained it to neck rein like a horse and rode it all over the ranch and in the Sutherland 4th of July Parade. It was this farm girl’s “dog”. Karen spent many hours with her calf and horse as her two best friends.
In the fall of 1960, beginning her sophomore year, Karen moved into North Platte and lived a few years with the Newberry family. She helped with household tasks and caring for their daughter, Ann. Because she lived in the country north of North Platte, this living arrangement afforded Karen the opportunity to spend her high school years at North Platte High School.
She was active in clubs and activities while she collected friends and reacquainted with friends from elementary school. One of the highlights was being crowned the 1963 Prom Queen. She still had the crown.
Karen was also elected secretary of her senior class and served on the student council.
She met up with a selection of girls named The Troop: 17 girlfriends who gathers for ball games, slumber parties, birthdays, and such. After graduation, they usually managed to gather once a year to catch up as they “did life”. In their later years, The Troop enjoyed several reunions across the western states; Karen never missed one.
After graduation, Karen attended University of Nebraska for one year to qualify to be stewardess for an airline. The then landed a position with Braniff International Airways. She selected the assignment to fly on planes full of young men headed to Viet Nam. Karen shared stories about the risky adventures.
Karen met her future husband, John Wood, while attending turtle races in Sausalito. They eventually married and moved to Indiana where their children, Lonn Paige and John Tra, were born.
The couple owned a dog boarding business and they raised Chesapeake Bay retrievers. Several of their dogs won ribbons at State dog shows. Their marriage ended while living in Indiana.
Eventually Karen decided to move to an acreage in Ramona, Calif. with her children and mother. She was thrilled to have horses again.
Karen worked for General Dynamic. When they closed their doors, she went to school to do medical transcription. She spent several years in that trade. Working at home afforded her the ability to spend time with her mother and help out with her uncle, Pete Laboranti.
Upon retirement Karen bought a Mazda Miata convertible. She spent hours cruising through the mountains with “the top down, music cranked up, and cruising at the highest speed.” Karen enjoyed a life well lived and will remain in the hearts of many.
Karen is survived by her daughter, Lonn Paige Wood of Ramona, Calif.; son, John Tra Wood of Sparks, Nev.; grandchildren, Justin Lambirth, Ryan Feller and Landon Feller; cousins, Daria Laboranti and Jenifer Laboranti; and friends, Jacki Gerstle of San Diego, Calif. and members of “The Troop”.
Karen is preceded in death by her mother, Cleo; father, Lloyd; and brother, Dennis Pueppka.
A celebration of life will take place in the fall at Sutherland.
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