Karen Mary Juhnke, age 80, passed away peacefully on Thursday, Sept. 17, 2026, at her home in Maggie Valley, North Carolina.

Karen’s hometown was Berwyn, IL which was the starting point for the famous “Route 66.” Karen was a graduate of J.

Sterling Morton West High School in 1963. After high school, Karen worked as a beautician and at a local printing company. She married James Juhnke in September 1965. Shortly after, they moved to the suburb of Itasca, IL to start a family. Once her children were all in school, Karen was employed as a school bus driver in DuPage County, Illinois. She also drove for the Lake Park High School marching band, the Guardsmen Drum & Bugle Corps and special event charters. After retiring in 1999, she and Jim moved to Maggie Valley, North Carolina.

Karen loved to travel, especially with her grandchildren, enjoying season passes to Dollywood and camping in the Smoky Mountains. Later, she took many trips with Christian Tours throughout the U.S. and Canada. Karen was extensively interested in crafts, often spending weeks in her RV camper on her many projects while camping.

Karen was a lifetime member of the American Legion Auxiliary.

She is survived by her husband, Jim, of 60 years; a sister, Marion (Dave) Hansen; son Jeffrey (Jenny) Juhnke; daughters Brenda (Gabriel) Steele and Gwen (Alberto) Vazquez; five grandchildren: Amy Murphy, Ryan Szabelski, Emily Szabelski, Andres Vazquez, and Emma Steele; great granddaughter, Chloe.

Memorials may be made to Our Savior Lutheran Church, 785 Paragon Parkway, Clyde NC 28721 or American Legion Auxiliary Post 48, 171 Legion Dr., Waynesville NC 28786. Burial will take place in Appleton, WI (Green Bay Packerland).