Karleen Gramberg

Karleen Kay Gramberg was born on December 4th, 1939, in Newman Grove, Nebraska to Theodore Karl and Audrey Elizabeth (Balzer) Sander. Karleen passed away unexpectedly on February 24th, 2025 following a brief hospitalization.

Karleen grew up the oldest of four children. She was her father’s right-hand man on the farm. She often shared that her dad didn’t allow excuses… he expected her to carry her own weight even though she was a girl! She would lament that her siblings got to spend time with their mom inside but she was always working alongside her Dad in the fields. In Karleen’s early years, the family moved from farm to farm before moving to Omaha when she was in high school. Karleen got a job after school as a telephone operator. She remembered that her mom would sit on the porch of their home, late at night, waiting and watching for her to get off the bus two blocks away, to make sure she returned home safely. Karleen graduated from North Omaha High School in 1957.

Education was very important to Karleen – her dream was to be a teacher. She went to Wayne State to get her teaching degree. While at college, Karleen met Merlyn on a blind date and found the love of her life. Merlyn and Karleen were married on May 31st, 1959. They were blessed with 64 years of marriage. Their secret to a long marriage? – their pact that whoever wanted a divorce, got the kids! Karleen was a wonderful mother to Robyn, Greg, Michaelle and Kandee, and opened her heart and home to foster children, David and Tisha, nieces and nephews. There was no one who Karleen didn’t want to help. She cared very deeply about children and was often their champion.

After their move to Chadron in 1966 for Merlyn’s new job at Chadron State College, Karleen partnered with her lifelong friend, Dru Scholl, on opening Pixie Patches Preschool. Through the years, she taught pre-first, special education and kindergarten at Kenwood Elementary School. Karleen’s love of teaching prompted her to pursue her Master’s of Science in Education with an Emphasis on Learning Disabilities, graduating in 1981.

Following her retirement from Kenwood, Karleen was able to focus much more of her time on remodeling their home and rentals. Oftentimes, she could be seen with drafting paper and paint samples, dreaming up more projects for Merlyn to do! Then in 2004, they joined their daughter and son-

in-law in purchasing a campground and mobile home park… which only added to her fun!

Not one for watching television, Karleen loved to read – anything! Probably her favorite thing to do, though, was read with her grandchildren. Ryan, Sara and Brody would often be found snuggling alongside Grandma, listening to her read book after book.

Karleen was the matriarch of the family and well respected by her siblings, peers, friends and students. She was a very determined lady and would often say “why?!” when told she shouldn’t do or try something. You quickly learned that if Karleen wanted to do something, she’d figure out a way to get it done on her own!

Baptized and confirmed in the Lutheran faith, she loved the Lord! Rarely did she miss a Sunday service…And she certainly exemplified what it is to be a Christian.

Karleen lived a full happy life surrounded by an adoring family. She taught us right from wrong, compassion and perseverance. She was deeply loved and will be forever missed.

Karleen will long be remembered by her daughter Robyn and husband Bob Baquet of Chadron, their children Sam, Nicolle and Addison; son Greg Gramberg and wife Sue of Rapid City, their daughter Sara, husband Abe Young and great grandchildren Ella, Kade, and Ayden; daughter Kandee and husband Norm Weddle of Rapid City, their daughters Dyllyn and husband Colin Dyer, Kaylee, Hannah and son Tyler; daughter Michaelle Stout of Rapid City and sons Brody and Easton. Karleen is survived by her younger sisters, Joan and Barb, and older brother Norm. She is preceded in death by her husband Merlyn and her parents Ted and Audrey, her brother Gary, and her beloved grandson Ryan. We know Merlyn welcomed her with open arms when she joined him in Heaven.