Roberta Beth Karn, R.N.
July 28, 2016 at 4:25 p.m.
By -
She was born April 26, 1920, in rural Silver Lake, to Artie and Hazel Ball Carr. On Sept. 4, 1945, she married Harold A. Karn, who preceded her in death.
She graduated from Silver Lake High School in 1937. At 8, she aspired and dreamed of becoming a nurse. She attended Methodist Hospital School of Nursing (now known as Parkview), Fort Wayne, graduating in 1941 with a diploma as a registered nurse.
Her first nursing assignment was at Woodlawn Hospital assisting her cousin Dr. Milton Leckrone as a surgical nurse. As a life member of the Indiana Nurses Association, she served her colleagues as on officer for a number of years.
She continued as a private duty nurse and as office nurse for Dr. E.V. Herendeen for several years.
In 1972, she was appointed as director of nursing at Woodlawn Hospital, retiring in 1985, thus bringing to a close a career in nursing spanning nearly four and a half decades. With a vision for the future, she assisted with the thoughtful design of the present-day Woodlawn.
She was a member First Baptist Church and Fulton County Literacy Coalition. She tutored many adult students with reading and volunteered with our youth at Head Start and with the Red Cross Blood Mobile.
An active member of the Republican Women's Club, she worked as a poll worker for Precinct 2 for many primaries and general elections. In May 1985, the Rochester Chamber of Commerce bestowed her with the Distinguished Citizen Award for her dedication and service to our community.
In addition to her dedication to her many patients over the years of her nursing career, she cherished the moments spent with her family and friends. Her outgoing personality, beautiful warm smile, joyous laughter and words of encouragement were a blessing to all she met.
Surviving are three children: Richard Karn, Silver Lake, and twins Jean (and spouse Greg) Halfast, Rochester, and Pastor John A. (and spouse Sharon) Karn, Greenville, Ill.; three grandchildren: Eric Halfast (and spouse Jamie Howton); Alcia Halfast (and spouse Michael) Scorsone; and Gretchen Lynne (and spouse Will) Jennings; three great-grandchildren; and a sister, Gladys (and spouse Eugene) Tully, Fort Wayne. She was preceded in death by her parents; two sisters, Mabel Bouse and Mary Waite; and two brothers, Rex and Robert Carr.
A celebration of life will be at 11 a.m. Wednesday at First Baptist Church, Rochester, with Dr. Mark Spencer officiating. Burial will be in Rochester IOOF Cemetery.
Calling is from 4 to 8 p.m. Tuesday at Good Family Funeral Home, 1200 W. 18th St., Rochester, and one hour prior to the service Wednesday at the church.
*****
Memorials to Hope Hospice of Fulton County; First Baptist Church; or the Woodlawn Hospital Auxiliary Scholarship Fund.
Condolences may be sent to [email protected][[In-content Ad]]
She was born April 26, 1920, in rural Silver Lake, to Artie and Hazel Ball Carr. On Sept. 4, 1945, she married Harold A. Karn, who preceded her in death.
She graduated from Silver Lake High School in 1937. At 8, she aspired and dreamed of becoming a nurse. She attended Methodist Hospital School of Nursing (now known as Parkview), Fort Wayne, graduating in 1941 with a diploma as a registered nurse.
Her first nursing assignment was at Woodlawn Hospital assisting her cousin Dr. Milton Leckrone as a surgical nurse. As a life member of the Indiana Nurses Association, she served her colleagues as on officer for a number of years.
She continued as a private duty nurse and as office nurse for Dr. E.V. Herendeen for several years.
In 1972, she was appointed as director of nursing at Woodlawn Hospital, retiring in 1985, thus bringing to a close a career in nursing spanning nearly four and a half decades. With a vision for the future, she assisted with the thoughtful design of the present-day Woodlawn.
She was a member First Baptist Church and Fulton County Literacy Coalition. She tutored many adult students with reading and volunteered with our youth at Head Start and with the Red Cross Blood Mobile.
An active member of the Republican Women's Club, she worked as a poll worker for Precinct 2 for many primaries and general elections. In May 1985, the Rochester Chamber of Commerce bestowed her with the Distinguished Citizen Award for her dedication and service to our community.
In addition to her dedication to her many patients over the years of her nursing career, she cherished the moments spent with her family and friends. Her outgoing personality, beautiful warm smile, joyous laughter and words of encouragement were a blessing to all she met.
Surviving are three children: Richard Karn, Silver Lake, and twins Jean (and spouse Greg) Halfast, Rochester, and Pastor John A. (and spouse Sharon) Karn, Greenville, Ill.; three grandchildren: Eric Halfast (and spouse Jamie Howton); Alcia Halfast (and spouse Michael) Scorsone; and Gretchen Lynne (and spouse Will) Jennings; three great-grandchildren; and a sister, Gladys (and spouse Eugene) Tully, Fort Wayne. She was preceded in death by her parents; two sisters, Mabel Bouse and Mary Waite; and two brothers, Rex and Robert Carr.
A celebration of life will be at 11 a.m. Wednesday at First Baptist Church, Rochester, with Dr. Mark Spencer officiating. Burial will be in Rochester IOOF Cemetery.
Calling is from 4 to 8 p.m. Tuesday at Good Family Funeral Home, 1200 W. 18th St., Rochester, and one hour prior to the service Wednesday at the church.
*****
Memorials to Hope Hospice of Fulton County; First Baptist Church; or the Woodlawn Hospital Auxiliary Scholarship Fund.
Condolences may be sent to [email protected][[In-content Ad]]
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