Karen Fanta Passes at Age 74
Karen Bessie Fanta, 74, of Dannebrog, died on Monday, January 16, 2023 at her home.
Funeral services were held on Monday, January 23, 2023 at Our Saviour’s Lutheran Church in Dannebrog. Special musical selections included “Amazing Grace, My Chains Are Gone,” “In the Garden” and the congregational hymn “Home.” Interment was held at the Elmwood Cemetery in St. Paul. Reverend Sheri Lode officiated. Pallbearers were Bob Sorgenfrei, Jim Fanta, Ben Hancock, Korey Fanta, Duane Fanta, and Bryon Miller.
Karen was born on November 18, 1948 to Robert and Dorothy (Sandquist) Hancock in Grand Island. She attended Grand Island Senior High School through the eleventh grade and graduated from St. Paul High School. Karen was united in marriage to Johnny Fanta on December 12, 1971 in Grand Island. The couple raised their family and operated a dairy farm near Dannebrog. She loved the “farm. life” and was a person who connected with nature and animals. They had several animals over the years, which she loved to nurture and raise. She had various jobs outside the home and was a committed hard worker. The two jobs that she spent the most years at were at Skagway in Grand Island and at the Boelus State Bank.
Her hobbies included putting puzzles together, playing piano, or playing a game of cards. Karen crocheted blankets for all of her grandkids and made ornaments every year for her entire family. It was a “big deal” to pick one out, and it was something everyone looked forward to. Her greatest enjoyments in life were her dog, Zoey, her Diet Coke, and spending time with her family and friends. Karen was the most unselfish person who always put her kids and grandkids first. Her children will never forget how great their mom was. Karen was a very Christian woman who was ready to follow Jesus to her heavenly home and reunite with her husband.
Those left to cherish her memory include her sons and daughters-in-law, Tony and Amy Fanta of St. Paul and John, Jr. and Kelsey Fanta of Dannebrog; daughters, Julie Zimmerman of Dannebrog, Karen Ann Fanta of Grand Island, and Nancy Fanta of Grand Island; sister and brother-in-law, Dorothy and Bruce Francisco of Grand Island; grandchildren, Joel, Rebecca, Deana, Jane, Keith, Calvin, Katelyn, John “Jason”, Jenna, Kelly, Jody, Jacob, Jianna, Jovie, Clark, Cassidy, Claire, Kensie, Kade, and Kayleen; and great-grandchild, Bella.
Karen was preceded in death by her parents; husband; daughter, Angela; brothers, Robert “Bobby” Hancock and Mark Hancock; and father-in-law and mother-in-law, John and Marie Fanta.