Karen F. Dellelo

Karen F. Dellelo, 71, of Pender, NE, formerly of Oregon, passed peacefully on the afternoon of Sunday, May 25, 2025, at Wayne Countryview Care and Rehabilitation in Wayne, NE. No services are planned at this time. Arrangements are under the direction of Munderloh-Smith Funeral Home in Pender.

Karen, 71, passed peacefully on the afternoon of May 25, 2025, at Country View Nursing Home in Wayne, NE. She was born on March 20, 1954, to parents Patrick and Colleen (Montgomery) Dellelo in Oneonta, New York. She spent her life working in Social Services, Child Protective Services, and Mental Health in both Oregon and Nebraska. She enjoyed traveling and was particularly interested in Native American History. She loved the Beach and had a hard time leaving Oregon to move to Nebraska in February.

Karen told stories of her childhood living in New York, California, Oregon, and Washington, and returning to New York as a teen. Childhood was spent playing with siblings and cousins. Playing ball, sledding at the quarry, jumping from the roof of the house, and racing cars. Karen was strong, independent, outspoken, didn't like to admit defeat, and a bit of a daredevil. She has four siblings: Tony Dellelo of Rochester, NY, Lucile Bailey of Springfield, OR, Wayne Dellelo of Everett, WA, Infant sister, Mary.

Karen met and married Ken Goss of Oneonta, NY, divorcing 18 years later. Together, they had four children. Ken Goss, Jr. (Sherri) of Fremont, NE, Rebecca Stephen of Powell, TN, Angel Burns (Chad) of Pender, NE, and Nathaniel Dellelo of Pender, NE. Karen has nine grandchildren, Nick, Steven, Cassidy, Cheyanna, Dakota, Kannani, Madison, Kendra, and Riley, and 5 great-grandkids.

Karen returned to college, a single mom in 1990, attending Lane Community College and then The University of Oregon, getting her Bachelor's in Psychology in 1994. Prior to that, she was a homemaker and community volunteer. She was a Den mom for Boy Scouts for Ken. Troop mom for Girl Scouts for Rebecca. She handmade clothing for Angel and was the lifelong caregiver for Nathaniel. Over the years, Karen took in strays, both people and pets. I don't think she met a stranger; some became lifelong friends, and some faded away.

She is preceded in death by her parents, sister Mary, and son-in-law Chad.