Karen K. McQuillan

Karen K. McQuillan, 71, of Omaha, formerly of Ogallala, died Monday, February 8, 2016 at CHI Lakeside Hospital in Omaha, with her family at her side. Mass of Christian Burial will be at 10:30 am Saturday, February 13th at Sacred Heart Catholic Church in Greeley, Nebraska. Burial will be in Sacred Heart Catholic Cemetery. Visitation will be from 5-7 pm Thursday at St. Wenceslaus Catholic Church in Omaha, with a 7 pm Vigil Service. Visitation will continue from 5-7 pm Friday at Sacred Heart Catholic Church in Greeley, with a 7 pm Vigil Service. Memorials are suggested to St. Wenceslaus Catholic Church Building Fund, Sacred Heart Catholic Church, St. Joseph Villa - Nursing and Rehab of Omaha or St. Luke’s School of Ogallala. O’Brien Straatmann Redinger Funeral Home of Kearney is serving the family. Condolences may be shared online at www.osrfh.com. Karen Kay McQuillan was born on March 19, 1944 in Temple, Texas to Donald and Veronica (Vandewalle) Kennedy. The family lived in Texas and Kentucky while her father served in the United States Army. Following his discharge they returned to Nebraska and made their home on a farm east of Greeley. Karen received her education at Sacred Heart Catholic School, graduating with the class of 1962. Following high school she moved to Omaha where she worked for Creighton University Medical Library for four years. She was united in marriage to James M. McQuillan on August 31, 1963 at Sacred Heart Catholic Church in Greeley. Jim and Karen lived in Omaha where she continued to work at Creighton University while he completed his law degree. On July 1, 1966 they moved to Ogallala where they would reside for 47 years, until moving to Omaha in September of 2013. Karen was a loving and devoted wife, mother and grandmother who always looked forward to spending time with her family, especially her grandchildren and great grandchildren. She also loved flowers and enjoyed putting together bouquets for special occasions. Throughout her life, faith remained very important to Karen. She was a member of St. Luke’s Catholic Church in Ogallala where she was active in the Altar Society and St. Wenceslaus Catholic Church in Omaha. She was also a member of the Mrs. Jaycees in Ogallala. Survivors of the immediate family include her loving husband of 52 years, James M. McQuillan of Omaha; her children, Michelle M. (Brad) Kreifels of Nebraska City, Michael J. (Shelly) McQuillan of Ogallala, Daniel P. (Jami) McQuillan of Omaha, Deborah A. McQuillan of Omaha, James V. (Christi) McQuillan of Omaha and Shannon M. (Brad) Cooper of Omaha; six grandsons, Ryan D. (Cara) McQuillan, Sgt. James P. McQuillan, Sean Q. McQuillan, Drew B. Cooper, Mark J. Cooper, Conner J. Cooper; 12 granddaughters, McKenzie S. McQuillan, Jessica L. (Jeremy) Franson, Catherine R. McQuillan, Kelsey K. Kreifels, Amanda M. McQuillan, Elizabeth A. McQuillan, Haley M. Kreifels, Megan A. McQuillan, Madeline G. McQuillan, Karley M. Kreifels, Jacey E. Kreifels and Makayla M. Cooper; two great grandchildren, Emma McQuillan and Dominic Staples; three sisters, Dianne Jones of Cozad, Elaine (Dick) Caster of Lincoln and Mary (Loren) Rogers of Pierce; a brother, Terry (Kate) Kennedy of Greeley; five sisters-in-law, Mary (Louis) Bauer of Greeley, Janet (Hank) Atwater of Omaha, Grace (Dan) Callahan of Greeley, Maureen McGuire (Jeff Chase) of Addison, TX and Mickey (Jerry) Smyth of Greeley. She is also survived by several nieces, nephews and friends, including numerous friends she developed through her travels with Jim in association with the Benevolent and Protective Order of Elks. Karen was preceded in death by her parents; two infant sons, Sean David McQuillan and Mark Anthony McQuillan; her mother-in-law and father-in-law, Michael J. and Janet A. McQuillan; a brother-in-law, Casey Jones; and a sister-in-law, Patricia M. McQuillan.

Karen K. McQuillan

March 19, 1944 - February 8, 2016