Karen Sue Zurek

Karen Sue Koehne Zurek was born on August 5, 1950, in Richmond Texas. Her soul departed her earthly body on November 2, 2025, which was her late father’s birthday. Karen was the only daughter of Willie Koehne and Selma Wendt. Karen loved her parents dearly. She had many cousins. Karen married Raymond George Zurek Jr on March 2, 1985. They were married for 30 years before Raymond passed away. She did not have children of her own, however, she considered Ray’s kids her own. Karen graduated John Reagan High School and became a claims adjuster. She worked many years as a realtor and claims adjuster with Caldwell and Pat Dicky Realtors. Karen was a bit of a Jack-of-all-trades. After retiring from the real-estate business, she helped run a store at the Mariner Marina in Freeport, Texas, where she and Raymond lived for a few years. She and Ray also worked with the Railroad Commission, traveling around southeast Texas. Karen and Ray also worked with FEMA for a few years, again, traveling the state of Texas. Karen also did some traveling while competing in Speed Rifle Shooting tournaments. Karen lived in Centerville Texas with Raymond for many years, where they raised cattle, and she enjoyed gardening her roses and Irises, and had a large vegetable garden as well. Karen loved to cook, and was always testing “new recipes”, generally using family as the Guinee pigs. She loved to make deserts for the many church functions she attended many years. Her favorite recipes were smothered pork chops, hashbrown casserole, roast beef pot roasts, Shepard’s pie and multiple Jello cakes. She loved making buttermilk pies for holiday occasions. Her cooking will be missed by all of us. Karen served with the women’s guild at Immanuel Evangelical Church of Needville. She often shopped for the church gathering groceries for the church food bank, and truly enjoyed selecting treats for the children’s lunches. She was delighted to work with the summer vacation bible study. During and after the CoVid19 pandemic, she was a regular at Immanuel Evangelical Church, preparing meals for all those in need, and very happy to have the wonderful community of the congregation. Karen Sue Koehne Zurek was preceded in death by her parents and husband Raymond. Karen had too many cousins to count. Needville has a population of just over 2800 residents, many of which are related to Karen. She is survived by her stepchildren Jennifer Zurek Patterson, two grandchildren Morgan and Joshua Patterson, and 2 great grandchildren; Matthew Wayne Zurek, and his wife Holly, and grandsons Matthew, Joshua and Jacob Zurek; Angie Michelle Zurek, and grandchildren Nicolas and Breana Morris. The family appreciates all the love and support given over the recent years of Karen’s failing health.

Tributes

Karen Sue Zurek

August 5, 1950 - November 2, 2025