In Memory Of
Karen Shafer
Karen Shafer
Karen Shafer, 53, of Topeka, passed away Saturday, December 8, 2007, at her home. She was born March 12, 1954, in Eureka, Calif., the daughter of Charles and Lorraine Escola. She spent most of her life in Topeka. She obtained a bachelor's degree in education from the University of Kansas in 1976. She was a teacher and began her career in U.S.D. 501, working until her children were born. She later served as a substitute teacher in U.S.D. 450 for many years.
Karen was a volunteer in the Shawnee Heights school district for nearly 25 years. She organized many events over the years, including Spirit Night and post-prom activities at the high school and the annual teacher appreciation luncheon, the carnival, book fairs, basket auctions, and playground fundraisers at Shawnee Heights Elementary School (SHES). She was a member of the PTO groups at SHES, Shawnee Heights Middle School and Shawnee Heights High School (SHHS), as well as the SHHS Booster Club. She created the SHES Thursday Moms, which enlists parent volunteers to help teachers with classroom projects.
She received several awards for her volunteer efforts, including the Capitol Federal Capitol Citizen Award and the JCPenney Golden Rule Award. She was also a finalist for a regional Jefferson Award for Public Service.
Karen married Derek Shafer on December 27, 1975, in Topeka. He survives. Other survivors include two daughters, Kerri (Dave) Holtzman of Olathe, Kan. and Kelsie Shafer of Topeka; three sons, Zack (Ashlee) Shafer of Olathe, Kan., Andrew Shafer of Lawrence, Kan., and Jake Shafer of Topeka; one grandson, Will Holtzman; her mother, Lorraine Escola of Topeka; one sister, Janet Escola of Elgin, Ill.; one brother, Charles Escola of Arcata, Calif.; her father-in-law, Cecil Shafer of Topeka; and many extended family and friends.
Memorial services will be held at 12 p.m. Saturday at Shawnee Heights Elementary School, 2410 S.E. Burton Rd. In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be given to the Karen Shafer Memorial Fund at Capital City Bank, 3710 SW Topeka Blvd., Topeka, KS 66609. Penwell-Gabel Southeast Chapel is in charge of arrangements.
Karen was a volunteer in the Shawnee Heights school district for nearly 25 years. She organized many events over the years, including Spirit Night and post-prom activities at the high school and the annual teacher appreciation luncheon, the carnival, book fairs, basket auctions, and playground fundraisers at Shawnee Heights Elementary School (SHES). She was a member of the PTO groups at SHES, Shawnee Heights Middle School and Shawnee Heights High School (SHHS), as well as the SHHS Booster Club. She created the SHES Thursday Moms, which enlists parent volunteers to help teachers with classroom projects.
She received several awards for her volunteer efforts, including the Capitol Federal Capitol Citizen Award and the JCPenney Golden Rule Award. She was also a finalist for a regional Jefferson Award for Public Service.
Karen married Derek Shafer on December 27, 1975, in Topeka. He survives. Other survivors include two daughters, Kerri (Dave) Holtzman of Olathe, Kan. and Kelsie Shafer of Topeka; three sons, Zack (Ashlee) Shafer of Olathe, Kan., Andrew Shafer of Lawrence, Kan., and Jake Shafer of Topeka; one grandson, Will Holtzman; her mother, Lorraine Escola of Topeka; one sister, Janet Escola of Elgin, Ill.; one brother, Charles Escola of Arcata, Calif.; her father-in-law, Cecil Shafer of Topeka; and many extended family and friends.
Memorial services will be held at 12 p.m. Saturday at Shawnee Heights Elementary School, 2410 S.E. Burton Rd. In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be given to the Karen Shafer Memorial Fund at Capital City Bank, 3710 SW Topeka Blvd., Topeka, KS 66609. Penwell-Gabel Southeast Chapel is in charge of arrangements.
To order memorial trees or send flowers to the family in memory of Karen Shafer, please visit our flower store.
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